NHS chiefs stamp out antibiotics misuse in South Gloucestershire

The National Health Service chiefs are urging people to stop using antibiotics incorrectly as it may lead to many bacteria becoming resistant to essential medicines.

As part of the campaign people are being urged to become an ‘antibiotic guardian’ and choose one simple pledge about how they will make better use of antibiotics and help save vital medicine from becoming useless.

The head of medicines management at South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, the GP-led body responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population, Mel Green said: “Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today.

“By taking antibiotics inappropriately, for the wrong kind of illness or simply not finishing the dose, your body can slowly build up a resistance to them, which can be extremely dangerous if you ever do need an antibiotic to treat a serious infection.

“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.”

Antibiotics help treat infections like pneumonia, meningitis and tuberculosis and are used to avoid infections during cancer treatments, caesarean sections and surgery.

The public can choose from a range of pledges as part of the campaign, such as treating a cold or flu themselves for five days rather than going to a GP.

The chairman at South Gloucestershire CCG, Jonathan Hayes said: “Lots of people attend GP surgeries wanting to receive prescriptions for infections which their bodies are good at fighting off on their own, like coughs, colds, sore throats and flu.

“People should initially try treating and controlling the symptoms for a few days. Community pharmacists are well placed to help provide advice on over the counter medicines to treat symptoms."

The campaign coincides with European Antibiotic Awareness Day on Tuesday, November 18.