Rock painting project to raise awareness of antibiotics

NHS Tayside’s antimicrobial management team has teamed up with some “rocking” community projects to promote antibiotic awareness messages.

The health workers have enlisted the help of CarnoustieRocks, Angus Rocks! Paint, Hide & Find!, BroughtyFerry Rocks and other local groups to hide specially painted stones in and around public spaces across Tayside for others to find.

The bright and colourful antibiotic resistant bug themed rocks will also have antibiotic awareness messages painted on them. They will be hidden throughout Tayside during Antibiotic Awareness Week from November 12-19.

People are being urged to check parks, hospital grounds and areas close to community pharmacies and schools – and to wash their hands afterwards.

They can also follow the NHS Tayside Facebook page for clues during the week.

The team say they want to promote a fun, healthy and cost-effective way to spread the message to families which the whole family can enjoy.

Dr Busi Mooka, NHS Tayside clinical lead for antimicrobial stewardship, said: “Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today as without effective antibiotics, many infections will become increasingly difficult to treat.

“If you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, the next time you get an infection it is more likely that antibiotics will not work, making it harder to treat. This is even more likely for children who have taken antibiotics.”

The AMT Team is also hosting an antibiotic awareness stand on the main concourse of Ninewells Hospital on Tuesday between 10am and 4pm.