Teaching programme shortlisted for national award

A project helping children learn about antimicrobial resistance and how germs work has been shortlisted for a national award.

The work of Antimicrobial Pharmacist Kailey Ben-Sassi to provide resources to teachers across Conwy and Denbighshire is in the running to be recognised at the Antibiotic Guardian Shared Learning and Awards.

The e-Bug project, shortlisted in the Children and Family category, saw more than 35 teachers provided with resources to teach primary school pupils about how antibiotics work, why it’s important to use them properly, and infection prevention. As a result , and to date almost 400 children have benefitted from a session suing the e-Bug online resources.

As well as a lesson in how antibiotics were developed and what they do, Kailey shared information about why it’s important to use antibiotics responsibly.

The pupils completed the sessions by signing up as Antibiotic Guardians, pledging to support the safe use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics don’t work on viruses such as colds, flu and sore throats, and thousands of deaths are caused every year because some dangerous bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics, which means they may not work when you really need them.

Kailey’s resources were also made available digitally after lockdown to help teachers offer resources to pupils in years three to six who were studying from home.

Resources include crosswords, word searches and other interactive activities to help children learn about what harmful organisms are and how viruses like the flu cause disease.

Kailey said: “I am very pleased that our BCUHB e-Bug project has been shortlisted for the prestigious antibiotic guardian awards.

“For many years our antimicrobial stewardship efforts have focused on health care professional and prescribers. This project shifted the focus to children who not only are our future users of antibiotics but also potential prescribers themselves.

“We know that children like to talk and the hope is that by embedding the important message around antibiotic use and infection prevention in a fun and engaging way, they will then relay the message to family and friends creating a ripple effect.”

The Antibiotic Guardian Shared Learning and Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who have demonstrated achievements in tackling antimicrobial resistance at a local, regional or national level.

More information and details of how to sign up as an antibiotic guardians can be found at www.antibioticguardian.com

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