Antimicrobial Resistance  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, change in a way that makes medicines used to treat infections less effective. This means that common infections can become harder to treat and may lead to longer illnesses, more hospital visits, and even increased risk of death.  

AMR can develop when antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs are misused or overused, such as taking them when they are not needed or not finishing a prescribed course. It’s important to use these medications responsibly and only when necessary.  

Preventing AMR is crucial for keeping our treatments effective. This can be done by practicing good hygiene, getting vaccinated, and following healthcare advice on using antibiotics. By being aware of antimicrobial resistance and taking steps to prevent it, we can help ensure that infections remain treatable and protect our health in the future.  

Helpful Resources

Antibiotic Guardian – Pledge to be an Antibiotic Guardian - Make a pledge to help tackle antimicrobial resistance by using antibiotics responsibly.

Safer food, better business (SFBB) | Food Standards Agency - A practical toolkit to help settings manage food safety and maintain good food hygiene practices.

E-bug is a resource produced by UKHSA to support schools and early years settings to deliver lessons on infection, prevention and control across the age ranges - ranging from hand washing, coughs and sneezes to sexual health,

The Health Protection Team with Public Health also offers resources to help support your AMR work email healthprotection@torbay.gov.uk to find out more. 

AMR Week 2025 - Torbay Health Partnerships 

Within our Peninsula work we take a One Health approach to AMR – this looks at the link between humans, our environment and animal health to AMR.  This includes our domestic animals as well as agriculture - showing the scale of AMR within our communities.