Ever used an antibiotic or know someone that has? We bet most of you have. They are a huge part of modern medicine and preserving antibiotics and reducing resistance needs to be everyone’s business.

Next week is World Antibiotic Awareness week*.

All colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors are invited to join us next week and make their own pledges for World Antibiotic Awareness week. Each pledge will be displayed on our very own Pledge Hedges in the main entrances at both hospitals and all pledges will be entered into a draw to win a Christmas hamper.

Our Consultant Microbiologist, Dr Nicola Hardman has already made her pledge saying: “I pledge to use antibiotics responsibly & help others to do the same. I want my children and my patients to survive potentially treatable infections." What will you pledge? 

The team are also running an electronic survey aimed at clinical staff. They are asking colleagues who take part in ward rounds to fill in in a few additional fields for the week.

Nicola said "We would provide colleagues with an electronic form and briefly explain the process. So I would say that this is an opportunity for clinical teams to participate in antibiotic awareness week and help with gathering data on the quantity and quality of antibiotic allergy recording."

Please contact Nicola to take part: nicola.hardman@cht.nhs.uk

*Each November, World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Since their discovery, antibiotics have served as the cornerstone of modern medicine. However, the persistent overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health have encouraged the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, which occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.