Community pharmacies have a crucial role to play in the provision of health checks to these targeted populations. With footfall exceeding 1.5 million people every day in England and extended opening hours, community pharmacy provides a unique environment to ensure patients are able to access these services.

Key facts

• Health conditions identified by the NHS Health Check are the biggest cause of preventable deaths in the UK and affect around seven million people
• During their first five years, NHS Health Checks are estimated to have prevented 2,500 heart attacks or strokes 
• Approximately three million people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in England and five million people are thought to be at risk of developing the condition 
• The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme aims to prevent 26 per cent of people at high risk of type 2 diabetes from going on to develop the condition.

Reflective exercises

• What would motivate a patient to change their lifestyle to reduce their risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes? When a patient has many modifiable risk factors, how could you encourage them to make changes?
• Do you know all the parties that have a role to play in the provision of health checks in your area? How could community pharmacy be better integrated?