Farm Vet Champions wins Innovative Approach to Antimicrobial Stewardship Award

Farm Vet Champions has won an award, bestowed by the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), as an innovative approach to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The award was presented at a global online event during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week called ‘AMS in Action’ to prevent AMR together through collaboration, innovation and action.

Farm Vet Champions Clinical Lead, Fiona Lovatt, who accepted the prize on 23 November, said: “Many thanks to the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and the International Pharmaceutical Federation for inviting me to share Farm Vet Champions on a global stage. This project demonstrates just how much we can achieve when we collaborate and work together towards a shared goal.”

“Alongside the campaign, we have established a Farm Vet Champions ambassador group of farm vets who are all committed to championing responsible antimicrobial use and sharing knowledge. Through both online education and the new SMART goals tool, Farm Vet Champions highlights the importance of teamwork in the success of tackling antimicrobial resistance. Teamwork is developed both in the practice setting and out on farms with the farmers and clients.

Fiona accepted the award at the AMS in Action symposium during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and spoke to a global audience about how Farm Vet Champions is working to prevent AMR and improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).

Farm Vet Champions has so far included stakeholders at every level of farm animal veterinary practice. Our aim is to make a difference in every UK veterinary practice and at the point of every vet-farmer consultation. To date, we have worked with all UK farm animal veterinary associations and directly engaged with over 750 of our UK target audience. The resources are also freely available to the international community.

The holistic core message to ‘plan, prevent, protect’ encourages Farm Vet Champions to move their focus away from simply treating disease to the maintenance of optimum health and welfare at field-level.

As we develop FVC ambassador groups of forward-thinking individuals, we are widening the reach within the veterinary community to establish inclusive and sustainable FVC communities on local, regional, and virtual levels. These groups support each other, share ideas, set and track SMART goals to monitor progress, and showcase best practice implementation.

Farm Vet Champions (FVC) is a collaborative project spearheaded by RCVS Knowledge to unite and empower farm animal veterinary practitioners to establish and embed responsible antimicrobial stewardship. RCVS Knowledge is dedicated to working with the veterinary sector to continue to improve animal health and welfare standards and provide positive inspiration and leadership towards One Health efforts.

To learn more about Farm Vet Champions visit rcvsknowledge.org/FVC