Health experts in Cornwall are backing a campaign to stop the overuse and misuse of antibiotics which is leading to many bacteria becoming resistant to these essential medicines.

The call comes ahead of European Antibiotic Awareness Day next Wednesday, November 18. Antibiotics help treat infections like pneumonia, meningitis and tuberculosis and are used to prevent infections during cancer treatments, caesarean sections and much surgery.

Kathryn Wisner, pharmaceutical adviser at NHS Kernow, the GP-led body responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population, said: “Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today.

“Antibiotics are really important medicines for treating infections, but they’re losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate because bacteria have found ways to adapt and survive. This resistance can also be passed between types of bacteria.

“By only using antibiotics when needed, we can slow down the development of resistance and buy time to develop new types of antibiotics. By not using them unnecessarily, they are more likely to work when we need them.

“As part of European Antibiotic Awareness Day, I would encourage local people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to play their part and become an Antibiotic Guardian and protect these precious medicines against the threat of antibiotic resistance – make a pledge to make better use of antibiotics.”

You can find out more, or make your pledge online, at www.antibioticguardian.com

Mrs Wisner 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.”

Members of the prescribing team work closely with GPs to support the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics. When antibiotics are not prescribed patients can be given information on how long their symptoms can last, how to treat them and what to do if they do not ease. Doctors may also consider issuing a delayed or back-up prescription for antibiotics if the patient’s symptoms continue.

Members of NHS Kernow’s prescribing and infection control teams also meet with colleagues from the Royal Cornwall Hospital and community hospitals to implement the key actions in the joint Department of Health/DEFRA five year antimicrobial strategy to slow the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Mrs Wisner and Lisa Johnson, Nurse Consultant Director of Infection Prevention and Control at NHS Kernow, will be providing top tips about antibiotic use in the Core building at the Eden Project on Wednesday, November 18, from 10am-4pm. There will also be goodies to give away and games.