Today sees the launch of the Let’s Talk pharmacy programme – a collection of e-learning modules that have been developed by Tesco for its pharmacists in partnership with us, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, to help them better support anyone at risk of developing or living with these health conditions.
The modules include condition-specific training on cancer, diabetes and heart and circulatory diseases, along with modules on risk factors, prevention and behavioural change. Pharmacists who successfully complete the training will wear a ‘Let’s Talk’ badge.
Partnership survey
Just one in ten (9 per cent) adults in Britain have turned to their local pharmacy for advice and information on lowering their risk of serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a new YouGov survey.
The survey - commissioned by us, the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Cancer Research UK and Tesco – suggests that many people could be missing out on opportunities to access free advice via their local pharmacies that could help them make life-changing improvements to their health.
The findings come as we've been working with Tesco and our charity partners to deliver specialist training to Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues to support their conversations with the public. The training will help them provide more information and support as to how people can help lower their risk of these serious conditions through small changes to their day-to-day routine.
The survey also found that, of those who had visited a pharmacist for health-related advice or checks, 43 per cent said talking to a pharmacist had eased their concerns around wasting their GP’s time.
Accessible healthcare
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of those who had visited a pharmacist for health-related advice or checks found it easier to speak to someone in a pharmacy than in other healthcare settings, while more than half (53 per cent) identified not having to book an appointment as a benefit of using a pharmacy for information and advice about a health-related concern.
Dan Howarth, Head of Care, said:
We’re proud to be working together with Tesco to help deliver this world-class training to Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues.
Thousands of lives could be saved every year through people making positive changes that lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart and circulatory diseases. Far more people could be taking advantage of the advice and support available to them from their Tesco pharmacy whilst they do their weekly shop, this includes tips and information on stopping smoking and weight management services”
We look forward to hearing your experiences of using the 'Let's Talk' programme.
If you have any questions about the e-learning programme, please contact helpline@diabetes.org.uk.
