Welsh Government
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Get well soon – without antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria but must be taken only when needed to avoid the bacteria building resistance to them. The awareness event provides the opportunity to remind everyone that antibiotics should be prescribed at the right time, at the right dose and for the right duration.
Antibiotics are used routinely used in hospitals during surgeries, chemotherapy treatment and in organ transplantation. In the past, doctors had a range of antibiotics to prescribe but this is not the case now so we need to be careful about how they are used.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths said:
“Antibiotics are the cornerstone of treating bacterial infections and we need to do everything we can to keep them effective for when they are really needed.
“It is important we use them in the right way, at the right dose and at the right time to slow down antibiotic resistance.
“Antibiotics will not help against viruses such as the common cold or flu."
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ruth Hussey, has written to prescribers, asking them to support responsible use of antibiotics.
She added:
“It is important we use our existing antibiotics wisely and make sure these life-saving medicines continue to stay effective for ourselves and future generations. This means that we need to stop using them for mild infections that can be expected to get better without them.
“We are very concerned at the rising levels of antibiotic resistance, but there are steps we can take to stem the tide. We know, for example, that antibiotic resistance is linked to how they are used – so they need to be prescribed and used at the correct time and in the correct way.
“We mustn’t forget also that resistance to antibiotics will not be brought under control without paying attending to infection control practices – especially hand hygiene practices in health and social care settings and in the community.”
The Welsh Government is working with Public Health Wales (PHW) on guidance and materials for health professionals and the public.
