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Concerns have recently been
raised about the over-prescribing
of antibiotics - particularly
with reference to colds and
flu and other self-treatable
viruses and ailments. Antibiotic
resistance has resulted, as
well as unnecessary pressure
on the NHS through wasted
GP hours. According to PAGB
research*, 39% of GP time
is spent dealing with patients
suffering from self-treatable
minor ailments such as colds
and flu.
The Consumer
Health Information Centre
(CHIC) is now in the first
stages of developing Guidelines
on the Treatment of Colds
and Flu. The Guidelines will
be aimed at health professionals
and consumers and will initially
be made available to the public
through GPs, pharmacists and
nurses.
Baroness Hayman,
Government Minister for Health
said, in support of the campaign,
"I am pleased
to see the CHIC campaign on
colds and flu this year and
the helpful advice being given
on the symptoms. These are
caused by viruses and while
unpleasant, cannot be cured
by antibiotics. Helping people
to recognise the symptoms
of a cold and to differentiate
between colds and flu, what
to do for self help and when
to go to the doctor, is the
kind of information people
need. I also welcome the CHIC
plans to develop guidelines
on self-treatment to be shared
between doctors, pharmacists
and patients. The Government
produced the NHS Home Healthcare
Guide earlier this year to
give people useful information
and helpful tips on how to
help themselves at home with
a range of minor illnesses.
This is part of our strategy
to make more advice and information
available at home."
The CHIC also
hopes to gain endorsement
for the guidelines from, the
Royal College of General Practitioners,
the Royal College of Nursing,
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
of Great Britain and other
relevant bodies once they
have been developed. Once
finished, their aim will be
twofold. To guide and endorse
health professionals and to
educate consumers on the most
effective course of treatment
for colds and flu.
The Guidelines
will be produced over the
next few months with an expected
launch date of January 1999.
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