Tesco has partnered with the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK to offer specialist training to its pharmacists and pharmacy staff.
In a bid to help customers make life-changing improvements to their health, the training will provide more information on lowering the risk of serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The chief commercial officer of the Big 4 grocer, Jason Tarry, told Retail Week that as local health services are already under pressure, it is “not always easy to access support for early detection and intervention.
“For families pressed for time and money, eating healthily can feel out of reach. The rising cost of living will only make a healthy lifestyle feel harder to come by.
“That’s unacceptable. No one should have to suffer as a result of a disease that could be prevented.”
The news follows a recent survey commissioned by the three charities and Tesco, which revealed that people could be missing out on the opportunities to access free advice via their local pharmacies.
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The survey also found that one in 10 of UK adults have gone to the pharmacy for advice and information, with 43% of those who visited saying that speaking to their pharmacist had eased their concerns around wasting their GP’s times.
Meanwhile, 24% 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.
Some 54% said not having to book an appointment as a benefit of using a pharmacy for information and advice about a health-related concern.
“Our Tesco pharmacy colleagues can provide information, resources and support on ways to help reduce your risk of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease,” Tesco head of pharmacy Paul Pilkington said.
“They are available for a private and confidential chat in our pharmacy consultation room, something 15% of people said was a benefit of visiting a pharmacy for information and/or advice about a health-related concern.”
He added: “As part of our role in supporting community health, we are encouraging customers to shop for affordable, healthy and sustainable food. Now, we want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources and support available in Tesco pharmacies to help people live healthier.
“So, if you’re shopping at Tesco, go to the pharmacy counter and one of our pharmacy colleagues wearing a ‘Let’s Talk’ badge can help you.”
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1 Comment. Leave new
That’s all well and good. I shop at 6am.The pharmacy doesn’t open till 9am.Then open your pharmacy at 6am.