NHS video highlights antibiotics resistance threat

Health officials are urging Highland patients to act with care when using antibiotics as part of a Europe-wide awareness campaign.

NHS Highland will launch a short video titled “Antibiotics and You” on Monday in support of European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) to help raise understanding of the threats of antibiotics resistance.

The video will highlight the facts about adherence to antibiotic regimes, when to take antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as well as the safe use and disposal of medicines and protecting our environment.

Sharon Pledger, consultant in pharmaceutical public health at NHS Highland, said: “Taking antibiotics when you do not need them may mean they will not work for you, your family and others in the future. By taking advice from your doctor or pharmacy on whether you need antibiotics or not is the first step in helping to keep antibiotics working, our NHS funded and our environment clean.”

The video coincides with several initiatives being undertaken by the health board to address concerns about the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

She added: “The latest data confirms that across the EU the number of patients infected by resistant bacteria is increasing so it is vital to spread the message to health professionals and the public that we all have a role to play.”