CloseSusceptibility Testing
First standardised susceptibility testing method | Established in 1981 | World leader | Working with UK laboratories | Supporting further development of EUCAST | Improving quality of susceptibility testing
BSAC Susceptibility Testing Standing Committee was established in 1981; it developed one of the first standardised susceptibility testing disc diffusion methods in 2001.
In recent years, the committee has played an essential role in EUCAST, moving to harmonise breakpoints, develop methodology, and standardise susceptibility testing throughout Europe & now the World.
The committee now aims to:
- Support UK laboratories with Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing (AST) problems
- Provide AST guidance specific to the UK and clarification on EUCAST guidance
- Support further development of EUCAST susceptibility testing methods
- Improve quality of susceptibility testing through educational User Group Days & Residential Workshops
For more information about the work of the committee or on any susceptibility testing issue, please contact: Mandy Wootton (Secretary to the Standing Committee)
Susceptibility Testing News
Updates for UK laboratories
AST guidance specific to the UK and clarification on EUCAST guidance
Further information on disc diffusion method
EUCAST disk diffusion method
Further information on EUCAST disc diffusion method
Susceptibility Testing Tools
Tools to help you organise and optimise your susceptibility testing results
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to commonly asked questions about AST
Susceptibility Testing Education
Find information about BSAC AST events here
Current AST Standing Committee Membership
- Miss Collette Allen, Novel & Dangerous Pathogen Unit, Public Health England
- Dr Nicholas Brown, Consultant Microbiologist, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
- Ms Phillipa Burns, Trainee Consultant Clinical Scientist at Hull University Teaching Hospitals
- Dr Matthew Ellington, Public Health England, London
- Dr Gerry Glynn, Medical Microbiologist, Altnagelvin Hospital, N. Ireland
- Dr Pegah Hafezi, Southmead Hospital, Bristol
- Professor William Hope, University of Liverpool
- Dr Robin Howe (Chair), Consultant Microbiologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
- Professor Gunnar Kahlmeter, EUCAST Steering Committee member, Vӓxjӧ, Sweden
- Professor David Livermore
- Professor Alasdair MacGowan, Consultant Microbiologist, Southmead Hospital, Bristol
- Dr Mairi MacLeod, Scottish Microbiology and Virology Network
- Mr Christopher Teale, Animal & Plant Health Agency, Shrewsbury
- Dr Mandy Wootton (Secretary), Lead Scientist, SACU, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Having trouble finding what you're after?
© 2025, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All Rights Reserved.
Registered Charity
