Rhiannon Mann, Head of Dispensary at Rosemullion Vets Cornwall shares details of how the practice supported the 2023 campaign. Rhiannon says: “This was the second year we took part and there were some useful learnings we took from the first year to help us do even more last November. It was a real team effort across our practice and everyone is delighted that we have been recognised as a runner up.”

Sharing the practical steps practice adopted, Rhiannon says: “As Head of Dispensary I gave an overview to the team at a practice meeting of what the Amnesty would entail and how we could promote the campaign to our clients. All the dispensary team were allocated “knowledge hub” resources to help get ready for providing any information and accept the returned medication correctly.

“I made use of the toolkit resources provided by RUMA CA&E and RCVS Knowledge on their respective websites to use around the practice. This included the use of the amnesty posters around the waiting room area and consultation rooms to prompt discussions with clients.

“Medication bag labels and leaflets were also designed for communicating the scheme directly to owners requiring that classification of medication; the leaflet detailed how owners could help with the scheme and it was given out with any dispensed antibiotic medication issued during the amnesty period. We also made use of the download of the ‘bring back unused drugs’ label for use in medication bags alongside the leaflet.

“The online toolkit was very useful indeed and helped with providing posters and labels to clearly promote the scheme. It also provided information which aided the creation of our own client leaflet.

“The issue of AMR is something we all have a role in tackling. The Amnesty in particular has three main areas of importance which any practice should want to take some ownership of controlling; firstly, raising awareness of the wider issue of antibiotic resistance affecting the health of both humans as well as animals, is crucial; secondly ensuring that leftover medicines are not administered by an owner inappropriately; and thirdly, highlighting the environmental consequences of how the incorrect disposal of medication can impact our wildlife and nature.

“As well as taking part in the Amnesty campaign, our practice also has a designated antibiotic guardian, which was also part of our RCVS Practice Standards Scheme awards. Our dispensary team have also continued to issue ‘safe return of medications’ labels on all our medications packaging to help reduce the chemical impact to waterways and wider environment and continue that all important education process on an ongoing basis. The team have reduced our HPCIA use by 50% and where appropriate, use alternative medicines which do not contain antibiotics.

“Supporting the Antibiotic Amnesty is a great way to demonstrate tangible action to help protect wildlife and the environment, protect the future efficacy of antibiotics for both humans and pets, and educate owners about the proper use of medications and prevent misuse.

“The veterinary profession has a duty to continue to make this a matter of priority. Bringing AMR to more people’s attention is crucial and it needs to be kept on the agenda to ensure preventative measures are in place across the profession before the situation is irreversible.

“Many people are simply not aware of the economic and social impacts that AMR can have not only on prolonging recoveries in the health care sector and veterinary practices, but also on agriculture and ecosystems. As a practice we take a strict line on ensuring that our team only prescribe antibiotics where the presentation of the symptoms and clinical tests indicate this would resolve the animal’s symptoms. It makes me proud when I hear our clinical team having these conversations with owners.

“Our practice will definitely be taking part again this year – we’ll be on a mission to exceed the 2023 volume of returned antibiotics we achieved.”