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Vets urged by charity to become Antibiotic Guardians
“AMR is a complex global issue that everyone must work together to tackle” –
RCVS Knowledge calls on vet teams to work together to tackle AMR.

The charity RCVS Knowledge is encouraging veterinary professionals to become Antibiotic Guardians in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

CPD courses are available on the RCVS Knowledge Learn training platform, with specialist courses for companion animals, equine, small mammals, avians, and exotics.

Any member of a veterinary team can take the courses and will be awarded an Antibiotic Guardian certificate at one of four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

To help reduce AMR, the charity wants every companion animal and equine veterinary practice in the UK to contain a member of the team who has been awarded a gold-level Antibiotic Guardian certificate.

On the courses, learners are taught how to encourage responsible antibiotic use, how to manage specific conditions with and without antibiotics, and how to introduce stewardship measures.

The charity runs a separate Farm Vet Champions scheme for veterinary professionals who work with farm animals.

Fergus Allerton, clinical lead for medicines at RCVS Knowledge, said: “AMR is a complex global issue that everyone must work together to tackle. Our CPD course on responsible antibiotic use was created by veterinary professionals, for veterinary professionals, and will help you to learn all the stewardship essentials.

“Becoming an Antibiotic Guardian will give you the skills and the confidence to make responsible decisions when using antibiotics, and help your colleagues do the same.

“If every veterinary practice in the UK has just one Gold Antibiotic Guardian, this will prompt important conversations among colleagues and translate into meaningful changes in our prescribing habits. Together we can make a real difference.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link. 

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News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.