Antimicrobial Stewardship – What You Need to Know

At Cheadle Hulme Medical Group, we are committed to using antibiotics responsibly — to protect your health today and safeguard effective treatments for future generations.

What is Antimicrobial Stewardship?

Antimicrobial stewardship means using antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines wisely and only when they are truly needed. This ensures they remain effective for treating infections now and in the future. It’s important to understand that antibiotics cannot cure every illness.

"The purpose of antimicrobial stewardship is to ensure the right antibiotic for the right patient, at the right time, with the right dose, and the right route, causing the least harm to the patient and future patients."
— The Patients Association

Why It Matters

Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine, but many common infections are becoming resistant to treatment. This is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is a growing concern globally and is recognised as one of the top 10 global public health threats.

When antibiotics are overused or misused, bacteria can evolve to resist them — meaning the medications become ineffective. This can lead to longer illness, more complications, and limited treatment options when you truly need them.

What We Do

• We assess carefully whether antibiotics are needed for your condition.
• We avoid prescribing antibiotics for viral infections like colds, flu, and most sore throats.
• We follow national guidelines and stay up to date with the latest evidence.
• We provide advice on how to manage common infections safely without antibiotics when appropriate.

What You Can Do

• Trust your clinician’s advice if antibiotics are not recommended.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed — never save them for later or share with others.
• Learn how to care for common illnesses at home and understand when to seek medical help.

Together, we can help keep antibiotics working — for you, your family, and our community.