The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has updated national surveillance data showing that antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in England averaged nearly 400 newly reported cases each week in 2024. The latest figures also show rising deaths associated with resistant infections and widening health inequalities.
The release was first published on 13 November 2025 and updated on 29 June 2026. It links the surveillance findings to the UK National Action Plan 2024 to 2029 and work across UKHSA, the NHS, government and regulators.
Antibiotic Resistance Cases Rise In 2024
UKHSA said bacteraemia caused by antibiotic resistance increased by 9.3% between 2023 and 2024. Cases rose from 18,740 in 2023 to 20,484 in 2024.
The estimated number of deaths in people with a resistant infection also increased. UKHSA reported 2,379 deaths in 2024, up from 2,041 in 2023.
- Weekly average: nearly 400 newly reported resistant infections were recorded each week in 2024.
- Annual change: resistant bacteraemia cases increased by 1,744 compared with 2023.
- Deaths: reported deaths among people with resistant infections increased by 338 in one year.
UKHSA Report Shows Bloodstream Infection Trends
The ESPAUR report found that most antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in the last 6 years were caused by E. coli. UKHSA said E. coli accounted for 65% of those infections.
E. coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections. UKHSA said resistant bacteria are less likely to respond to treatment and can lead to complications including bacteraemia, sepsis and hospitalisation.
People with a bacterial infection resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die within 30 days than those with an antibiotic-susceptible infection. UKHSA said limiting antibiotic use to where it is most needed is one way to help tackle resistance.
Resistant Infection Indicators
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly cases | Nearly 400 | Newly reported cases in 2024 |
| Bacteraemia | Up 9.3% | Increase from 2023 |
| Deaths | Up 338 | Reported increase in one year |
| E. coli share | 65% | Last 6 years of bloodstream infections |
Antibiotic Use Falls In NHS But Rises Privately
UKHSA said overall antibiotic use within the NHS in 2024 was 2% lower than the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline. The agency said this suggested a return to more stable prescribing patterns.
NHS primary care antibiotic use fell between 2019 and 2024, from 14.21 to 13.96 DID. Private dispensing in community pharmacies nearly doubled over the same period, rising from 0.37 to 0.66 DID.
Overall primary care antibiotic use, including NHS and private non-NHS prescribing, rose by 0.27% between 2019 and 2024. UKHSA said 4.5% of primary care antibiotics were dispensed through the private sector in 2024.
- NHS use: antibiotic use remained below the 2019 baseline in 2024.
- Private dispensing: community pharmacy private dispensing almost doubled between 2019 and 2024.
- Pharmacy First: the service accounted for 4% of primary care antibiotics in 2024.
For the first time, the ESPAUR report included antibiotic prescriptions from the Pharmacy First service. UKHSA said most antibiotics prescribed in 2024 were in primary care, with general practice and dentistry remaining below 2019 levels.
Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns
| Area | 2024 Position | Context |
|---|---|---|
| NHS overall | 2% lower | Compared with 2019 baseline |
| NHS primary care | 13.96 DID | Down from 14.21 in 2019 |
| Private dispensing | 0.66 DID | Up from 0.37 in 2019 |
| Primary care | 79.6% | Share of antibiotics in 2024 |
Older Adults And Deprived Communities Face Higher Risk
UKHSA said adults over the age of 45 continue to be most at risk from resistant infections. This group accounted for 90% of cases, while nearly half were detected in people over 74.
The agency said risk increases with age because people are more likely to develop multiple medical conditions and have more exposure to medical interventions. The data also showed prescribing rates in some groups, including children and young people, remained above pre-pandemic levels.
The report highlighted a widening gap between people living in the most and least deprived areas. People in the most deprived communities had a 47.2% higher rate of resistant bacteraemia than those in the least deprived areas.
UKHSA said the difference between the most and least deprived populations widened from 29% in 2019 to 47% in 2024. The agency said it is working with partners to understand the reasons and design interventions.
Government And Health Partners Respond
The findings are linked to the UK National Action Plan 2024 to 2029, which sets goals and targets for tackling antimicrobial resistance. UKHSA said action includes responsible antibiotic use, infection prevention, vaccination and research into new treatments.
The release included responses from UKHSA, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the MHRA. Their comments covered public health risk, inequalities, clinical practice, diagnostics, new antibiotics, vaccines and surveillance.
Stakeholder Comments
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of UKHSA said;
“Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats we face.”
“Please remember to only take antibiotics if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. Do not save some for later or share them with friends and family.”
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed said;
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious threats to public health, both in the UK and globally.”
“We will continue working closely with UKHSA, the NHS and international partners to tackle this growing threat.”
Professor Matt Inada-Kim, National Clinical Director for Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance and Deterioration at NHS England said;
“Resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem and tackling it means looking at the full picture.”
Dr Nicola Rose, Interim Executive Director of Science and Research at the MHRA said;
“These figures underline the growing impact of antibiotic-resistant infections, and why action across science, regulation and healthcare is vital.”
The updated UKHSA surveillance data records higher levels of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections, increasing deaths associated with resistant infections and widening health inequalities in England. It also highlights changing prescribing patterns, including higher private dispensing and the inclusion of Pharmacy First prescribing, while linking the findings to the UK’s National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance.
Sources: UK Health Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Professor Susan Hopkins, Health Minister Zubir Ahmed, Professor Matt Inada-Kim, Dr Nicola Rose.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
