In order to provide further focus on action in Scotland, a draft Action Plan for Scotland was issued for consultation at the same time. This covers three key inter-related elements namely surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use in human, animal and agricultural practice, and infection control. The Action Plan is currently being reviewed in the light of the comments received as part of this exercise and a revised version will be issued to a wide range of interests in due course.

Also, in December 1999, as the first phase of an education campaign, the Executive launched publicity materials to further raise awareness of this issue. These included posters and leaflets that were circulated widely to GP practices, dental practitioners and pharmacists to help bring the issue to the attention of the general public. On 20 December this year, this message was reinforced at a press conference to increase public awareness of the problem.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is advised in this area by the Advisory Group on Infection. The Advisory Group has set up a sub-group on Hospital Acquired Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, which is currently considering a framework for antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in Scotland.