NICE Committees are independent advisory groups that consider evidence and develop national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. Professor Hay will work with the new committee to develop prescribing guidelines for the management of common infections, including respiratory and urinary tract infections.

The guidelines will help tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – microorganisms or ‘superbugs’ that resist treatment, for example, with antibiotics. The committee will be looking at ways to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in both primary and secondary care.

Professor Hay said: “I am delighted to take up membership of this committee. We know that AMR is a serious threat to global public health. Finding ways to reduce antibiotic prescribing is a key strategy to reduce that threat. Developing guidelines to support this effort is an important step forward.”

Together with partners and colleagues at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, Professor Hay has conducted internationally recognised research to improve the management of acute infections and the use of antibiotics in primary care. This has included research into antibiotic prescribing for children with respiratory infections and flu, and adults with urinary tract infections, sore throats and coughs. A new study, CEDAR, will look at the potential to use pain-relieving ear drops instead of antibiotics to treat ear infections in children.