At Northgate surgery we are working with the Lowering Antimicrobial prescribing (LAMP) project.
- Sadly increased and inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics has led to increasing resistance to them. We are rapidly heading towards a future where antibiotics no longer work and simple infections could have devastating consequences.
- At Northgate we are committed to working together with patients to ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically appropriate. By reducing antibiotic use we can keep antibiotics working and help keep everyone healthier.
- Antibiotics do NOT work against viruses so they are ineffective again colds and viral chest, throat and ear infections.
- Antibiotics cause lots of side effects including diarrhoea and sickness.
- Your clinician will only prescribe antibiotics if clinically indicated. If you are not sure or think you are getting worse you can always contact our triage team for more advice.
We thank all of our patients and staff for their support with this.
Some useful resources
Here are a few guidelines to help you judge how long some common illnesses and symptoms should last for:
| Common illness | Most people are better by |
| Earache (middle ear infection) | 8 days |
| Sore throat | 7-8 days |
| Sinusitis (adults only) | 14-21 days |
| cold | 14 days |
| Cough | 21 days |
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/keepantibioticsworking
If you’re not starting to improve by these guide times, contact the surgery.
Please click here to be taken to the Antibiotic Guardian Page.