Prince of Wales becomes patron of new appeal

The Prince of Wales has become Patron of a new appeal to create The Fleming Centre, which will drive a global movement to take on antimicrobial resistance.

The new Centre will be based at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, which is also where Sir Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic in 1928. The programme will be led by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (this includes St Mary’s Hospital).

Antimicrobial resistance happens when microbes develop resistance to treatment, and around one million people worldwide die each year after resistance is developed. If this is not resolved, it is estimated that by 2050, treatments-resistant microbes will lead to around ten million deaths every year.

By becoming Patron, Prince William supports the efforts of the Fleming Centre to overcome antimicrobial resistance over the next five years.

Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Chair of the Fleming Initiative, said: “At the Fleming Centre, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust are driving solutions to antimicrobial resistance that are co-designed with citizens and underpinned by a rich and diverse evidence base. We are making behavioral science and public involvement the cornerstones of the radical change that’s needed to influence individual behaviour and policy decisions.”