The AMR Narrative

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Moving Forward in Infection Diagnostics series, Leeds (UK)

On the 6th of May 2025, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders came together to explore one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of diagnostic innovation: how to successfully adopt and implement new infection tests in real-world NHS settings.

This event marked the fourth meeting in the Moving Forward in Infection Diagnostics series, co-hosted by NHS England and the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The series has already looked at early-stage innovation topics like demand signalling, target product profiles, and evaluation. This latest meeting focused on the final and arguably most challenging stage of the journey: getting the right test to the right patient, in the right place, at the right time.

The day kicked off with a welcome from Dr Kerrie Davies MBE (NHS England) and Dr Jane Freeman (NIHR Leeds BRC), who reminded us just how important collaboration is if we’re going to turn ideas into action in infection diagnostics.

Our Executive Director, Vanessa Carter, an AMR patient survivor shared her story and reminded everyone why this work matters so deeply. She spoke about how delayed diagnostics impacted her recovery fighting MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and how in addition screening could play a key role in public health measures for early detection and containment of antibiotic-resistant infections, especially in healthcare settings.

Certain other resistant organisms alongside MRSA are particularly well-suited to screening-based control strategies, including CPE (Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales), VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci) and Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among others.

The morning sessions featured insightful case studies from across the health and research sectors:

  • Dr Ian Butler (Barts Health NHS Trust) shared lessons from using Oxford Nanopore Technology for diagnosing culture-negative infections, explaining both the promise and pitfalls of cutting-edge sequencing.
  • Dr Iain Miller (Presymptom Health) reflected on market access and real-world experience of adoption, including specific challenges within the Infection Diagnostics Implementation Panel (IDAP).
  • Prof. Alastair Hay (University of Bristol) presented findings from the NIHR EME RAPID-TEST RCT, asking: Does the evidence support adoption in primary care? His insights highlighted the complexity of bringing new tests into GP practices.

The afternoon featured a lively industry-led debate, co-chaired by Angela Douglas MBE (BIVDA) and Nishan Sunthares (ABHI), looking at “What Good Looks Like” in adoption and implementation. Industry voices offered ideas on improving alignment, regulation, and patient access.

A panel discussion featuring all case study presenters including Vanessa, tackled the big question:
“Do we need a national framework for adoption and implementation of infection diagnostic tests?”
The discussion was rich with real-world examples, challenges, and solutions. While opinions varied, there was a strong sense that greater coordination and patient involvement are key.

The final sessions saw attendees split into workshop groups to share their experiences and ideas. The aim is that these conversations will inform a Draft Consensus Statement, helping guide future work and influence policy.

To close the day, Dr Kerrie Davies and Dr Jane Freeman summarised key actions and next steps. Their takeaway message? It’s time to move from discussion to delivery—together.

Chris Shaffer

Chris Shaffer was a music, special education teacher, and high school principal for 45 years. At the end of his educational career, he was thrust into the world of AMR infections when a number of abdominal surgeries left him with an E-coli infection which failed to respond to antibiotics. After doctors in the USA left him with little hope for a cure, diminishing health, and a bleak prognosis, he set out on his own.

Chris found success in phage therapy at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. With phage therapy giving Chris his life back, he has dedicated his retirement years to advocating for and helping raise awareness of phage therapy used for AMR infections. He tells the story of his phage journey in a book titled, Finding Phage: How I Partnered with a Friendly Virus to Cure My Deadly Bacterial Superinfection. His website, phagetherpyusa.com helps others learn to understand the healing power of phage therapy.

Demi Christofi

Demi is an Associate Scientific Director at a medical communications agency, with a background in microbiology and a longstanding focus on antimicrobial resistance. She holds an MSc in Microbiology, where she first became interested in the global challenge of resistance and the need to bring scientific understanding to wider audiences.

Demi’s career has centred on a simple but powerful belief: that how we communicate science matters. Her work focuses on making complex data clear, engaging, and accessible – whether for healthcare professionals, policy makers, or the patients most affected by infection and resistance. She has contributed to a wide range of AMR-focused projects, including educational programmes, congress communications and stewardship initiatives.

A central thread in Demi’s work is the importance of the patient voice. She is passionate about making sure real-world experiences of treatment failure, recurrent infections, and the anxiety surrounding resistance are not lost in the data. She believes that listening to patients and involving them meaningfully is essential for shaping more effective, human-centred responses to AMR.

Demi is also a strong advocate of the One Health approach, recognising AMR as a complex, interconnected issue that spans human health, animal health, and the environment. She is particularly drawn to efforts that move beyond siloed thinking and focus on practical, joined-up solutions.

In 2025, Demi joined The AMR Narrative as an Independent Advisor, where she supports the charity’s mission to centre communication, community, and inclusion in the global AMR response.

Outside of work, she is a Girlguiding unit leader and a qualified yoga teacher. These roles reflect her commitment to care, learning, and creating supportive spaces for others.

Andrea Hartley

Andrea has worked in health communications and campaigning for 3 decades. She is committed to fighting AMR through timely and appropriate communications globally,.

Andrea set up Skating Panda, the creative social and environmental impact consultancy, over a decade ago and drives its impact and growth. Focused on original and lasting public interest communications as well as issue strategy and advocacy, the Panda team has a track record of prompting tipping points in the status quo that drive better social and planetary outcomes.

Andrea’s combination of commercial marketing and development experience with deep issue knowledge have been sought by decision-makers at global summits, corporate and NGO board members, and have enabled her to set up multi-million fundraising platforms and push through policies that change and save lives. 

Andrea is Vice Chair of mothers2mothers, the world’s largest employer of women living with HIV, and a Board Director of Maymessy, a food poverty social enterprise.

A lifelong advocate for gender equality, she played a key role in establishing the UK’s Women’s Equality Party.

Esmita Charani

Professor Esmita Charani is a pharmacist and researcher investigating how we use antibiotics in different cultural and social contexts. She works with teams in the UK, India, and South Africa to develop research programmes investigating all aspects of antimicrobial resistance in human populations with a focus in hospital settings.

She has experience in communicating her research with patients and the public through various media including animations, blogs, and educational videos.