PIF members The British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK have teamed up with Tesco Pharmacy to launch a new Let’s Talk service.
The charity partnership has been delivering specialist training to Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues.
The aim is to help them provide better information and support to anyone at risk of developing, or living with, heart and circulatory disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.
All Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues who have completed the training will wear a Let’s Talk badge so customers know they are in good hands when they need to speak to someone.
Untapped source of information
Coinciding with the launch of Let’s Talk, A YouGov survey suggests many people could be missing out on opportunities to access free advice via their local pharmacies that could help them improve their health.
Only 9% of people have gone to a pharmacy for advice and information on lowering their risk of health conditions such as cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart and circulatory diseases.
Only 2% of adults in Britain had visited their pharmacist for a blood pressure check in the last 12 months, despite an estimated 4.8 million people in the UK living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Making simple changes
Dan Howarth, head of care at Diabetes UK, speaking on behalf of the charities: “We’re proud to be working together with Tesco to help deliver this world-class training to Tesco pharmacists.
“Thousands of lives could be saved every year through people making simple 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.”