PATH-SAFE Final Evaluation Report

PATH-SAFE (pathogen surveillance in agriculture, food, and environment) was a pilot programme that aimed to improve surveillance of food borne pathogens (FBP) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the UK using a One Health approach. It included partners from across all four nations in the UK and aimed to: pilot surveillance for FBPs and AMR in the environment and agri-food system; bring together and expand existing surveillance initiatives; gather information from end-users of surveillance; and gather data to understand prevalence, source and pathways of FBPs and AMR.

This evaluation focused on the final year of funding of the PATH-SAFE programme (March 2024-2025) to investigate the extent to which PATH-SAFE has contributed to outcomes related to improved surveillance of FBPs and AMR, as well as factors affecting the realisation of outcomes and impacts. This evaluation took a theory-based approach, guided by a logic model and an outcome measurement framework. Evidence to support this evaluation comes from desk research looking at PATH-SAFE documentation and publications, interviews with PATH-SAFE delivery partners, a survey of PATH-SAFE partners and external stakeholders, and case studies. This evaluation built on an evaluation of the first phase of PATH-SAFE, conducted by RAND Europe. While the evaluation provides useful evidence as to the outcomes of PATH-SAFE to date, it took place prior to all of the outputs from PATH-SAFE being made available, and we are unable to assess outcomes and impact after the evaluation ended in March 2025.

Overall, this evaluation has concluded that PATH-SAFE achieved some outcomes that have helped improve surveillance in the UK, but that in many areas additional follow up action and investment is needed to influence practices.