What is the problem?

Antibiotic resistance, though a naturally occurring phenomenon, is exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship is one of the key strategies with which we can tackle the problem of resistance, and this is true in both human and animal health. As clinical practitioners, vets need to be supported to prescribe responsibly to the animals under their care, ensuring that antibiotics are used in the best and most appropriate way while maintaining the health and welfare of animals. Antibiotic use in animals in the UK has reduced significantly in recent years, particularly in food-producing animals. However, responsible medicine use can still be challenging in certain circumstances, and part of the problem can be that veterinary practices are privately run businesses without the benefits of an umbrella organization like the NHS within which to implement and encourage coordinated change.

What is the solution?

Dr Gwen Rees (Bristol Veterinary School) is leading on the Arwain Vet Cymru project, a Welsh Government-funded collaborative initiative which aims to train and support a national network of veterinary prescribing champions across Wales to improve antibiotic prescribing in cattle and sheep. 'Prescribing Champions' from over 80% of practices providing farm services are taking part in an extensive program of training and policy development. The project is participatory in approach, aiming to empower vets to develop and implement bespoke stewardship interventions and share experiences and ideas.

Aims of the project 

• Establish a sustainable network of veterinary 'Prescribing Champions' across Wales
• Train the 'Prescribing Champions' in antimicrobial stewardship methods
• Develop and implement at least one antimicrobial stewardship intervention in every participating practice
• Inform AMR policy in Wales

Research questions

• Can creating a national network of veterinary 'Prescribing Champions' lead to participatory antimicrobial stewardship interventions at the practice level?
• How does the process of creating and training a network of veterinary 'Prescribing Champions' work?
• What are the beliefs, values and motivations of non-veterinary staff around antibiotic use involved in the dispensing of veterinary medicines?
• Are antimicrobial stewardship interventions effective at the practice level, and what are the barriers and enablers to delivery?