Self-care: how pharmacy can lead the way

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Self-Care Week (November 17-23) is an annual UK-wide campaign encouraging people to take charge of their physical and mental health using the theme “Mind & Body”. From schools to local councils and healthcare providers, it is a national effort – and community pharmacies are central to its success.

Why now?

Demand for health services is higher than ever. According to King’s Fund’s figures, GP appointments in England have risen 20 per cent since 2018/19 and A&E visits continue to increase as well.

With more people living longer and managing chronic conditions, prevention and supported self-management are essential to enable the NHS to provide sustainable quality care. Pharmacy teams are ideally placed, especially with the emergence of neighbourhood health and common ailments treatment pathways. 

The pharmacy opportunity

Community pharmacies are one of the most accessible points in the NHS. Whether it is giving advice on common ailments, conducting medication reviews, supporting vaccination roll-out or delivering programmes that help people quit smoking or manage their weight, pharmacy teams already empower thousands of people every day.

As key self-care facilitators, their knowledge and expertise are foundational in addressing health inequity and shaping healthier communities.

New insights: The Living Self-Care Survey

Findings from the Living Self-Care Survey – a collaboration between the Self-Care Forum and Imperial College London’s Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) – highlight a significant gap in perceptions between healthcare professionals and the public.

As the first study of its kind, it surveyed 3,255 UK residents, including 277 healthcare professionals. While many professionals believe patients are reluctant to take responsibility for their health, most patients say they are willing and motivated but need greater support and access to clear, trustworthy information.

This is where pharmacies come in. By offering reliable guidance and everyday encouragement, pharmacy teams can help bridge this gap and boost people’s confidence in managing their own wellbeing.

Supporting self-care conversations

Pharmacy teams can make the most of Self-Care Week by:

• Displaying Self-Care Week posters in the pharmacy to alert customers to the national awareness week
• Using in-store displays to promote small, impactful self-care actions. This can be strengthened if a member of the team “wo/mans” the display to help with advice
• Hosting a self-care drop-in, maybe invite a link worker or social prescriber along to talk to customers about local services
• Run a free case-finding service, inviting all customers to get their BP checked.

If you’re not already using the Self-Care Forum’s Self-Care Aware fact sheets – where have you been? These free, jargon-free resources are ideal for use during consultations or as take-home material for patients. They’re also accredited with the PIF TICK, the UK’s quality mark for trusted health information. The multilingual format of some of the fact sheets further improves accessibility.

“Go on. Grab the oppportunity”

Prevention in action

Many long-term conditions – including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers – are largely preventable through simple lifestyle changes. As trusted, accessible health professionals in the heart of every community, pharmacy teams are uniquely positioned to turn prevention into action.

By offering brief interventions, tailored advice, and signposting to local support services, they help people understand the impact of daily habits on long-term health – and take practical steps to reduce their risk. When pharmacy teams act, population health improves. 

Pulse in the Pub

At my Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol we have implemented several programmes to support people locally such as Pulse in the Pub – an innovative community outreach initiative where we went to men in the local community.  We spoke to people who don’t usually engage in health services, taking blood pressure readings and talking to them about their health and wellbeing.

Another successful programme, which is still running, is Tesco Pharmacy’s Let’s Talk. Delivered in partnership with leading health charities, it trains pharmacy teams to confidently and proactively support people at risk of chronic disease, making prevention part of everyday conversations. 

Collaboration is key

Pharmacies can expand their reach by working with local partners such as:

• GP practices and PCNs
• Local authorities and public health teams
• Schools, employers and community groups.

Joint events, resource sharing, or community drop-in sessions can help spread self-care messages further and engage more people. 

Be part of the movement

By taking part in Self-Care Week, pharmacies can:

• Strengthen community trust and relationships
• Reduce demand on GP and urgent care services
• Reinforce their role as a go-to hub for health support
• Empower individuals to take better care of their mind and body.

Access free campaign resources – including posters, fact sheets, a pharmacy toolkit and social media assets – here. 

Final word

Self-care doesn’t mean going it alone – it means being supported to make informed decisions. Pharmacy teams are essential to making this possible. This Self-Care Week, let’s show how pharmacies can lead the way in building healthier, more self-care aware communities.

Go on. Grab the oppportunity.

Ade Williams MBE is superintendent pharmacist, Bedminster Pharmacy and Self-Care Forum Trustee.