World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign aiming to increase the understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote best practices to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

Taking place between 18 and 24^th November 2022, this year’s campaign theme is `Preventing antimicrobial resistance together` which asks all sectors to consider the sensible use of antimicrobials and to strengthen preventive measures addressing AMR, working together collaboratively through a One Health approach.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics impacts the NHS today. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens are associated with repeat primary care consultations, more hospital admissions, longer lengths of stay, and increased mortality. The global burden of bacterial AMR has recently been estimated at almost 5 million deaths associated with, and 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to AMR each year.

Hitesh Patel, Pharmaceutical Adviser at Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust said:

`Raising awareness of the risks of antimicrobial resistance is very important

'Many infections like coughs and colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are not effective. Ask your pharmacist for advice and over-the-counter medicines

‘If you are prescribed antibiotics take them exactly as advised and don’t share them with family and friends

`Now more than ever we need to continue working together to avoid inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and do our part to reduce antimicrobial resistance`

Following Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trusts (DIHC) October (2022) Board meeting, and to coincide with Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Day, the Trust’s first Nursing and Allied Health Professional (AHP) strategy has been released.

Co-produced by clinical teams, and with input from professionals across the Trust, this strategy sets out DIHC’s vision in these areas for 2022 – 2024.

Outlining the fundamentals of nursing and recognising that clinical staff within wider Primary Care services, this piece of work will set the scene for more innovation within DIHC, expanding the opportunities for our Nurses, AHPs, and other frontline clinical support services to contribute to areas including audit and research.  It will also provide a foundation for our teams to develop skills for system leadership.

The strategy is aligned with the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s national three-point strategy which was designed to enable nurses to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan as well as the Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Strategy for England.

Sue Nicholls, Director of Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Quality said:

“We are dedicated to ensuring that we provide outstanding care that our people and service users would recommend to their friends and family. This strategy outlines these standards of care and professionalism.

“I would like to thank our Nursing and AHPs colleagues who dedicated their time and energy to develop this strategy and ensured that our organisational culture and values are entrenched within our aspirations and our commitments”

Zoe Dixon, DIHC Professional Lead for Allied Health Professions and Clinical Support Services said:

“AHPs are the third largest clinical workforce, with significant opportunities to support the delivery of the NHS Long-Term Plan.

“Both the release of this strategy and the celebration of AHPs’ Day, provide us with an opportunity for AHPs to come together and showcase to others the impact they make on the delivery of high-quality care.”

Click here to read Trust’s first Nursing and Allied Health Professions (AHP) strategy

On Tuesday 1^st November 2022, Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust will be holding its monthly Board Meeting which is open for the public to attend.

The Trust wants to ensure that it does all it can to create a regular opportunity for the public to hear about the work that is being undertaken, whilst also promoting a culture of transparency.

The meeting offers a chance to meet and hear directly from both Executive and Non-Executive Directors from the Trust.

November’s Board Meeting will take place at Dudley College of Technology. To confirm your attendance, email - you can also use this email to send any questions that you might have or would like to raise on the day.

Date: Tuesday 1^st November 2022

Time: 9:30am

Address: Dudley College of Technology, The Broadway, Dudley DY1 4AS

Register, or ask a question:

At a recent Board meeting, Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust (DIHC) were joined by the School Nursing team who told them about the impact of their service locally. Laura Bickley, Team Leader and Lisa Worth, Practice Nurse Educator, attended the meeting and explained that the team is responsible for looking after 45,000 children, aged between 5 years and 16 years across 104 schools in the borough.

Laura described how one of their roles is to help young people in school to understand the risks of sexual abuse. The team uses resources from the NSPCC, ‘Pantosaurus’.

Laura said, ‘By using arts and crafts, we can build relationships of trust with our young people where they feel comfortable to communicate with us.  We work at their pace and use the resources to help explain that their body belongs to them and what is appropriate.”

Lisa said, “Pantosaurus is a great way to start the conversation in a way that does not feel uncomfortable or threatening. Our role is to work with our student population and help educate them and provide support and guidance when needed. The schools and students really benefit from this.”

Philip King, Chief Operating Officer at DIHC, said, “The team provides a fantastic service to our school-age population and is essential in ensuring that children get the support they need when they need it.”