Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant global health challenges, requiring informed, consistent practice across all care settings — including care homes, where residents are often older, frailer, and more vulnerable to infection.
Historically, antimicrobial stewardship initiatives have been hospital-focused. However, there was a clear need for targeted expertise within the care home setting, ensuring staff felt confident, informed and supported in antimicrobial decision-making.
Without this role, NHS Tayside would have risked falling behind national ambitions, missing opportunities to embed best practice across all care environments and improve outcomes for people receiving care outside acute settings.
The award ceremony provided more than recognition — it created valuable opportunities for:
Showcasing NHS Tayside as an innovator in service transformation
Promoting positive optics nationally, highlighting leadership in care home-based stewardship
Improving outcomes for people in care by supporting safer and more effective infection management
Positioning the role as a national blueprint, with potential for replication across other health boards
The project has strengthened NHS Tayside’s role as a leader in antimicrobial stewardship and reinforced the importance of investing in specialist roles that bridge health and social care.
The results speak for themselves, demonstrating how the project fostered not just culinary skills, but profound personal growth:
100% of participants reported an increase in skills and confidence.
100% showed a mindset shift on college as a viable option for themselves or their children.
32% transitioned into college or other D&A courses.
18% transitioned directly into employment.
Five of the learners became MTK Ambassadors for the social enterprise, sharing their new skills across Tayside.
For the participants, the impact was truly life-changing:
"The kitchen gave me more than just food... it gave me a sense of belonging and purpose."
"I didn't think I could do anything well, but now I can cook and work well in a professional kitchen. It feels great."
The success of the D&A Community Kitchen highlights how strategic funding can address health inequalities by supporting individuals with the practical skills and confidence they need to thrive.
Learning & Looking Ahead
Attendance at the Antimicrobial Conference and Awards provided valuable learning opportunities, including:Exposure to innovative projects that could be adapted or replicated within NHS TaysideNetworking with national colleagues, creating opportunities for future collaborationReflection on best practice and continuous improvement within antimicrobial stewardshipThe success of this role has highlighted its potential as a model for future projects, supporting long-term improvements in infection management, education and patient outcomes across diverse care settings.
