Dear editor,

Lawrence et al. recently described the state of the infection workforce in the United Kingdom (1). The authors reported a disparity in specialist infection expertise across the country, and high consultant vacancy rates. Together with increasing pressures from the threat of emerging infections, rising antimicrobial resistance and more complex clinical care for patients, there is a need to strengthen infection services across the country (1, 2). Attracting specialist trainee applicants is a key element in this endeavour, but it is important that recruitment decisions and processes are fair and inclusive.