HEALTH leaders in South Warwickshire are celebrating after falling figures in antibiotic prescribing – reducing a potential threat to human health.
NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have achieved a 7.5 per cent reduction in the total volume of antibiotic prescribing in the last 12 months and a 37 per cent reduction in the prescribing of specific antibiotics which have been associated with patients suffering from a nasty stomach infection which causes diarrhoeal illness.
Resistance occurs when germs that cause infection survive exposure to a medicine that would normally kill them or stop their growth and the process is increased by various factors such as the misuse of medicines, poor infection control practices and global trade and travel.
Dr Richard Lambert, Assistant Clinical Chair at South Warwickshire CCG said:
“We are really pleased to have surpassed the national target set to reduce antibiotic prescribing. Our GPs have been working hard with our medicines management team, pharmacists and care homes. They are making sure antibiotics are only prescribed to those patients whom would benefit from them and not for conditions such as colds and sore throats which usually get better on their own and generally don’t require antibiotics. ”
The CCG is highlighting three key messages for the public:
-Do not expect antibiotics to be prescribed for all illnesses. The common cough or cold can be treated effectively with over the counter medicines available at your local pharmacy.
-If antibiotics are prescribed, take the whole course exactly as prescribed and do not share them with others.
-Stop the bugs spreading in the first place simply by thoroughly washing hands.
