Devon asked to make Antibiotic Guardian pledge for awareness day
Devon residents are being asked to mark European Antibiotics Awareness Day (November 18) by adding their pledge to those of over 4,000 antibiotic guardians, in an effort to help slow the resistance and cut the use of unnecessary antibiotics.
Devon County Council’s Public Health, NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, Devon Local Pharmaceutical Committee and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust have come together to support the campaign, and are asking residents to add their support.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today. Without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
The pledge campaign is the focus of this year’s awareness day, led by Public Health England, which is asking the public, organisations and health professionals to take action and choose an online pledge to reduce demand.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Andrea Davis, has added her signature to become an antibiotic guardian, and to champion promotional activity for EAAD within Devon.
“I am really pleased to add my pledge to this important campaign, and will be doing my bit to promote antibiotic awareness day.
“The issue has been the focus of one of our key campaigns this year, in which we have worked with a number of our partner organisations to find ways to encourage parents to treat their children’s common illnesses without resorting to antibiotics.
“I would encourage everyone to sign a pledge and help preserve these vital medicines for our future generations.”
Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said: “We know that when you are ill that you want treatment, the’ guardian pledge’ reminds the public that for most coughs, colds and sore throats the best medicine is rest and paracetamol.”
As part of the work to save this vital medicine all GP practices in Devon, and pharmacies in North Devon, have received a “Treating Your Infection” leaflet. This prescription-style pad explains how to treat common infections; why antibiotics don’t work and when to get further help, and will be given out to patients to refer to.
Richard Croker, Head of Medicines Optimisation at NEW Devon CCG, said: "A local study shows that approximately a quarter of all patients in North Devon have been prescribed antibiotics in the last year. Evidence shows that patients who get antibiotics on prescription are more likely to attend their GP surgery to request further prescriptions. These initiatives will help break this cycle of prescribing by reducing patient expectation and the pressure to prescribe antibiotics when they are not always necessary."
Louise Smith, a mother of three felt stuck in an antibiotic cycle with her second son Thomas who suffered from a chest infection and pneumonia. She was involved with her local children’s centre in developing a ‘Listen to Your Gut’ campaign, aimed at parents to help increase their confidence in treating their children’s common illnesses, and reduce reliance on antibiotics.
“I know from personal experience that antibiotics are not a quick fix for illness,” said Louise.
“Our campaign will help mums feel more confident to make choices that their children don’t need antibiotics and that when the doctor sends them away without them that it’s the right decision – and they will take away the leaflet and use it, rather than feel they’ve been fobbed off.”
Anyone can make a pledge on the website www.antibioticguardian.com.
