24 April 2007

NPS is calling on health professionals (active and retired) to volunteer some of their time to give a short educational presentation about the common cold at local childcare centres. The presentations will take place during June as part of the common colds need common sense, not antibiotics national campaign.

The campaign, run by the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) and funded by the Australian Government, aims to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics for common colds as well as reinforce simple hygiene practices.

Over 600 childcare centres across Australia have registered to receive NPS materials and resources to run interactive staff updates on common colds, with around 500 seeking a health professional to co-present.

The sessions are usually 30-45 minutes and provide a great opportunity to address the inappropriate use of antibiotics for common colds and provide practical advice on identifying and managing cold symptoms. It can also be a good forum for discussion on the consequences of antibiotic resistance, which is a very real public health concern in Australia.

NPS will provide all volunteers with supporting material including a specially prepared staff-update guide and a hardcopy of Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic Version 13, 2006.

We would value your support. If you are a GP, pharmacists or nurse, and can spare some time, please contact NPS at email by Friday, 11 May.

ENDS