Public Health England have launched a new campaign in the North West of England, highlighting the dangers of taking antibiotics when you don’t need them. A powerful film will show the possible consequences of failing to take action on antibiotic resistance – showing a world in which common infections, minor injuries and routine operations will become far riskier.

It is estimated that 5,000 deaths are caused every year in England because antibiotics no longer work for some infections. Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Ian Moncur said “Antibiotics don’t work for everything. They don’t work for colds or flu and common conditions like kidney infections and pneumonia have started to become untreatable. When it comes to antibiotics, take your health professional’s advice.”

NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are supporting the campaign and have spent a number of years reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions to ensure that only the patients who really need them are given them.

Dr Anna Ferguson, at the Strand Medical Centre in Bootle, said: “It is so important that people realise that antibiotics are not always the answer and that the more they are used to treat minor health conditions, the more likely they are to become ineffective for treating more serious conditions.”

Dr Hilal Mulla, at The Corner Surgery in Southport, said: “We’ve done a lot of work already with the CCGs to explain to people that antibiotics are not always the answer but this campaign will hopefully add to this, helping GPs and pharmacists spread the word more and remind people about the risks of taking antibiotics when it’s not necessary.”

Antibiotics are needed for serious bacterial infections, but don’t work for everyday viral infections such as cold and flu. If you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, the dangerous bacteria inside you can become resistant to antibiotics. This means they are less likely to work for you when you really need them. You can also pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to your loved ones.