RCVS Knowledge shortlisted in Antibiotic Guardian 2022 Shared Learning and Awards

RCVS Knowledge has been shortlisted in the UK Health Security Agency’s Antibiotic Guardian 2022 Shared Learning and Awards, which was announced during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Our Farm Vet Champions project was shortlisted in the prestigious awards for having demonstrated achievements in tackling antimicrobial resistance and success in communicating about antibiotic stewardship.

The Antibiotic Guardian campaign is led by the UK Health Security Agency in collaboration with the Devolved Administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and other organisations who are working together towards the ‘One Health’ initiative.

Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, says: “At RCVS Knowledge, we have a brilliant team of passionate and hard-working individuals who are working to ensure that the Farm Vet Champions project contributes to improving antimicrobial stewardship in the farm sector.

“Farm Vet Champions fully supports the UK Antimicrobial Resistance strategy and we are committed to continuing our work to help tackle the very real threat of AMR.”

Farm Vet Champions is a major, collaborative project which has united and empowered UK farm vets and their teams since May 2021. It helps farm vets to establish and embed responsible antimicrobial stewardship and improve vital knowledge about the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The project is funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and supported by a large number of veterinary organisations.

As part of Farm Vet Champions, RCVS Knowledge has collaborated with farm veterinary associations, alongside farmer and farm industry representation, to produce 20 hours of online learning which is free for all veterinary practice team members to access. In May 2022, we launched the Farm Vet Champions SMART goals tool, which supports the sustained translation of learning into practice and can be set at an individual or team level.

As well as providing free tools and online learning, RCVS Knowledge has established a Farm Vet Champions Ambassador group of motivated and like-minded farm vets who we are working with to champion responsible antimicrobial use and share knowledge for the benefit of vets, clients and animals.

RCVS Knowledge is committed to making a difference in antimicrobial resistance, in every veterinary practice, at the point of every vet-farmer conversation in the UK. We will continue to support the Farm Vet Champions community to increase knowledge, set and achieve goals, and showcase best practice.