News OneTogether conference to help tackle SSIs
The Infection Prevention Society, Central Sterilising Club, Association for Perioperative Practice, The College of Operating Department Practitioners and Solventum will be hosting the OneTogether UK Expert Conference 2026, dedicated to reducing the risk of surgical site infections, on the 12 March 2026 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham. OneTogether is a partnership between the leading professional organisations IPS, CSC, Solventum, AfPP and CODP with an enhanced interest in the prevention of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). The mission is to promote and support the spread and adoption of best practice to prevent SSIs across the surgical patient pathway. By connecting interested professionals in surgery, infection prevention and key industry partners for the healthcare community, the ambition is to improve overall patient care. OneTogether aims to:
l Raise the profile of surgical site infection. l Share a suite of resources to support quality improvement in surgical care, based on current guidance.
l Engage healthcare professionals and institutions to make a difference at every level to reduce SSI and improve patient outcomes.
l Share best practice across all specialties. l Leverage the strength and reach of professional associations, industry partners and online platforms to educate and engage.
The OneTogether UK Expert Conference features a diverse and informative one-day programme, featuring top experts in the field of SSI. Sessions include: l Fundamentals of Care in Theatre - Lindsay Keeley, Patient Safety & Quality Lead, The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP).
l From checklist implementation to modern challenges in infection prevention and control - Julie Storr, Global Health Consultant, Director S3 Global.
l
C.Section SSIs Study - Michael Margo. l To Glove or not to Glove? - Jennie Wilson, Professor, University of West London.
l QI and Behaviour Change - Graham Martin, Director of Research, THIS Institute, Cambridge University.
l Kings Global Healthcare Partnership DRC SSI
team (One Together 2025 award winners) SSI reduction in DRC using One Together - Adrian Jones.
l Theatre Ventilation Update - Hilary Humphries. l The Bath Collaboration (One Together 2025 award winners) SSI reduction in
C.Section - Rachel Greenwood.
The OneTogether UK Expert Conference also hosts a number of industry leading companies in the field of infection prevention and control at the comprehensive company exhibition. Attendees of this year’s event can enjoy access to the exhibition during dedicated breaks to learn more about the latest science, technologies, advancements, and products that provide solutions to SSI challenges. To find out more, visit:
https://fitwise.eventsair. com/onetogether2026/
New antimicrobial stewardship standards to support TB care
An international panel of experts from 32 countries has presented specific antimicrobial stewardship standards for tuberculosis (TB) care for the first time. TB contributes substantially to the global burden
of antimicrobial resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis with resistance to the antibiotic rifampicin as a high-priority pathogen in its 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List, underscoring the urgent need for research, development, and strategic action. Of particular concern is the growing resistance to newer key drugs such as bedaquiline, as this jeopardises recent progress in the treatment of drug-resistant TB. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) refers to
coordinated strategies for the targeted, evidence- based, and safe use of anti-infective agents. The aim is to improve treatment outcomes, minimise side effects, and prevent the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. While AMS is well established in many areas of infectious
diseases, a clearly defined and clinically operational framework for TB care has been lacking. The standards were developed by an
international panel of experts comprising 62 specialists from 32 countries and all six WHO
regions as part of a structured Delphi process. The aim of the standards is to systematically integrate TB into existing AMS structures, strengthen surveillance and resistance monitoring, improve timely access to comprehensive resistance testing, and ensure that TB treatment prioritises effectiveness, safety, and resistance prevention. This includes structured consultation services, targeted testing and preventive treatment of at-risk populations, and systematic clinical and microbiological treatment monitoring. “Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat
to the progress achieved in tuberculosis care in recent years,” says Dr. Thomas Theo Brehm, first author of the study. “These clinical standards are intended to support responsible, effective, and sustainable tuberculosis treatment now and in the future.” The standards appeared in the International
Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Open. To view the standards, visit: https://tinyurl. com/42xa77rj
February 2026 I
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