Community pharmacy is an underutilised source of health advice and information, according to new PAGB commissioned research to coincide with Self Care Week (16-22 November 2015).

Only two thirds (63 per cent) of those surveyed said that they trust their pharmacist's advice on keeping healthy, compared with 89 per cent who rely on their GP for health information and 82 per cent who turn to Google.

The research also revealed the nation’s top health concerns are staying healthy as they get older (65 per cent), keeping fit and active (59 per cent) and eating a healthy diet (56 per cent). As well as wanting to prevent ill health, people also worry about funding for the NHS (29 per cent) and delays in getting a doctor’s appointment (22 per cent) if they fall ill.

This year's Self Care Week encourages people to ‘self care for life’ and is being supported by a wide range of health organisations from across the country, including NHS England, Public Health England, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), local authorities, GP surgeries and community pharmacies.

Dr Pete Smith, a GP and co-chair of the Self Care Forum which organises the week, said: “I am encouraged that people want to stay fit and eat well, but it is vital that we provide information to people to help them make those healthy lifestyle choices and ensure they know where to go for advice and support.”

PAGB chief executive, John Smith, added: “Often the pharmacy is the best place to go for advice on self-treatable conditions as well as information on lifestyle choices which will help people stay healthy as they get older.

"Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and, for the vast majority of people, pharmacies are easily accessible and no appointment is needed.”