Community pharmacy's role in promoting public health was highlighted to commissioners and providers, in a report published in September 2017 by Public Health England. 'Pharmacy: A Way Forward for Public Health' was drawn up in consultation with the Local Government Authority, and €provides a menu of interventions to realise the potential of one of the most frequented health care settings in England to make an even bigger sustainable impact on the lives of people, communities and the nation.€8

Diabetes is one of the priorities for Health and Wellbeing Boards and Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships, says the report. It is also a national priority area for action, and suitable for community pharmacy involvement.

Community pharmacy can help tackle diabetes and obesity, with a range of interventions, €from promotion of healthy eating messages through use of the Eatwell Guide, through to opportunistic discussion of appropriate healthy eating advice according to age, sex and lifestyle.€

The document points out that there is just under 50% uptake of the NHS Health Check, offered to people between the ages of 40 and 74. While most NHS Health Checks are currently offered via general practice, accessibility can be a barrier for improving uptake, says PHE. €Community pharmacy offers an important alternative for NHS Health Checks. It adds value to a mixed delivery model by increasing accessibility for some people.€