Our 2025 Antibiotic Guardian Awards Nominees: Clinical Microbiology
Read more about the CwPAMS Microbiology workstream and its nomination in the ‘Diagnostic Stewardship’ category
by Dr Nikki D’Arcy, Senior Technical Project Manager (Clinical Microbiology), CwPAMS and Bobby Walker, Communications Officer
Since 2019, the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and Global Health Partnerships have operated the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) programme, building strategic pharmacy-led health partnerships which foster bidirectional learning between UK and African health institutions to support strong antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).
Within the programme, now in phase 2.5, we operate multiple workstreams which aim to enhance the implementation of protocols and evidence-based decision-making to support antimicrobial prescribing and capacity for antimicrobial use surveillance, thereby empowering in-country multidisciplinary healthcare teams in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to tackle the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
A relatively recent addition is the ‘integration and use of microbiology data’ workstream. Despite the workstream’s infancy, CPA has been shortlisted for the UK Health Security Agency’s Antibiotic Guardian Awards in the ‘Diagnostic Stewardship’ category for ‘diagnostic resource development to aid clinical integration of microbiology services in LMICs’.
As we approach the Awards on June 9th, I asked the project’s manager, Dr Nikki D’Arcy, to explain more about the microbiology workstream and its impact on AMS…
What is the Microbiology workstream?
The ‘integration and use of microbiology data’ workstream was initiated to expand the scope of the health partnership approach in line with the Fleming Fund strategy:
“Improving the use of clinical microbiology and antimicrobial prescribing data to inform clinical decisions.”
The workstream supports our health partnerships in the integration of laboratory data into their local AMS programmes, whilst fostering and strengthening links between hospital wards and laboratories. We support the HPs in improving their use of local microbiology services and in using antimicrobial prescribing data to inform clinical decisions.
Health partnerships have been encouraged to increase their use of microbiology data, build interactions between laboratory staff and clinicians, develop antibiograms, increase the use of diagnostics, to review local microbiology data to inform procurement of antimicrobials.
How does the Microbiology workstream contribute to CwPAMS?
CwPAMS has long focused on collaboration and the importance of engaging multidisciplinary healthcare teams to improve antimicrobial surveillance and to upskill and build capacity in the health workforce; true change and impact can only occur when everyone involved in patient care works together.
Microbiology forms a critical aspect of AMS and patient outcomes, allowing the right antimicrobials to be prescribed at the right time through the provision of diagnostic testing. Knowing the type of infection a patient has provides the prescribing team with the opportunity to use targeted therapy, thereby reducing the risk of AMR or overprescribing.
The addition of this workstream to the CwPAMS programme has strengthened multidisciplinary teams within our health partnerships and highlighted the importance of communication between clinical teams, pharmacists and laboratory teams in AMS initiatives and in the increase in use of appropriate treatments.
What are some of the key successes of the Microbiology workstream so far?
The CwPAMS microbiology team has been successful in building good relationships with microbiology teams from our health partnerships in all seven African countries involved in CwPAMS. This has enabled us to understand partnerships’ successes in microbiology and diagnostics and to share these case studies to support other partnerships in their work. It has also enabled us to understand where support is needed and to assist where appropriate.
We have produced and supplied partnerships with the CPA Microbiology Resource Package, containing various resources to support integration between clinical and laboratory teams, sampling guidance, and informed decision-making with respect to antibiotic use. Additionally, we have engaged with healthcare teams through multiple training webinars, including ‘Introduction to Clinical Microbiology’ and ‘Antibiogram Insights’, and we will be providing in-person focused training in due course.
How can we maximise Microbiology’s successes in future?
Our findings include examples of excellent use of microbiology to inform AMS and clinical practice, but they also highlight critical areas which require further attention if comprehensive, data-informed action plans are to be developed and delivered to minimise the effects of AMR in LMICs.
The provision of further support to build staff capacity and capability through recruitment and retention of staff, training and mentorship, access to resources, scientific support, and advice is required. We also must continue to work with partner organisations to assess and strengthen laboratory capacity and enable AMS activities through a multidisciplinary approach. The continued provision of opportunities to share knowledge and best practice will ensure the sustainability of our efforts and those of the health partnerships.
Dr Nikki D’Arcy
Senior Technical Project Manager
(Clinical Microbiology), CwPAMS
“This workstream was only introduced to the CwPAMS programme relatively recently, so to be nominated for this award is a testament to the dedication of the incredible team we have. The production of the Specimen Optimal Sampling information package, in particular, was a real labour of love and came from the team’s desire to share their knowledge and skills with as many people as possible.
“The responsibility to be an Antibiotic Guardian falls upon us all, and microbiology is a key component of that chain of responsibility. It is an honour to be nominated and to have our work acknowledged.”
CwPAMS’s Clinical Microbiology workstream has been shortlisted for the Diagnostic Stewardship award at the 2025 Antibiotic Guardian Awards, taking place in Birmingham, UK on 9th June. Stay up to date with CPA’s channels as we highlight our other shortlisted projects in the build-up to the ceremony.
About the authors
Dr Nikki D’Arcy
Senior Technical Project Manager (Clinical Microbiology), CwPAMS
Nikki is an experienced project manager with molecular and microbiology research experience in hospitals, academia and biotechnology. She has a background in infectious disease research and a PhD in infection control and the microbiology of indoor environments.
In addition to leading the Clinical Microbiology workstream on the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association’s CwPAMS programme, Nikki is Director of Operations at a biotech firm, Logistics and Operations Lead at Tessellate Bio, and a freelance Early Stage Drug Discovery Consultant.
Bobby Walker
Communications Officer
A journalist by training, Bobby now undertakes the role of Communications Officer at the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA). In this capacity, he creates content which supports the distribution of the invaluable work of his colleagues, ensuring that CPA’s output is impactful and reaches those who need to hear it most. His role includes managing the CPA’s social media channels.
Throughout his career, Bobby has long sought to champion causes that seek to advance social equity; he was recognised with Newcastle University’s Research Excellence award in 2021 for his study of racial stereotyping within the British press.
About CwPAMS and the Fleming Fund
The Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund is a UK aid programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a leading public health threat across the world. The Fleming Fund invests in strengthening data surveillance systems through a portfolio of country grants, regional grants and fellowships managed by Mott MacDonald, and global projects managed by partners.