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In community pharmacy, we hear the words ‘self care’ numerous times a day; we read it more and think it most. The same, however, is not true for members of the public, many of whom still see self care as having some ‘me time’ – a slightly different aspect of self care.
National Self Care Week, now in its 15th iteration, provides an excellent opportunity for the healthcare sector and public alike to recognise the importance of self care in elevating general wellness, preventing conditions and treating them.
This year, running under the theme Mind & Body and organised as usual by the Self Care Forum, Self Care Week (17-23 November) looks to create national awareness of self care’s potential across communities, families and generations.
Ade Williams MBE, superintendent pharmacist of Bedminster Pharmacy and Self Care Forum trustee, said community pharmacy have a central role to play in delivering this message.
“Pharmacy teams are uniquely positioned to turn prevention into action”
Key facilitators
“Community pharmacies are one of the most accessible points in the NHS. Whether it’s 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,” says Ade.
“As the key self care facilitators, their knowledge and expertise are foundational in addressing health inequity and shaping healthier communities.”
That is one of the key messages here; that self care is a way for people to take their health into their own hands, that it is a step towards preventing certain conditions and a way to educate communities on long-term health, thereby reducing health inequalities down the line.
New insights from the Living Self Care Survey, collaborated on by the Self Care Forum and Imperial College London’s Self Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU), exposed the need for more self care awareness. The findings “highlight a significant gap in perceptions between healthcare professionals and the public,” says Ade.
“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 something community pharmacies can help with – as an accessible and dependable source of information for customers, pharmacies can help fill in the blanks for patients wanting to incorporate self care into their lifestyles.
And, not only does self care empower patients, but it also reduces the demand on GPs and urgent care services. It also further reinforces pharmacy’s role as a go-to hub for health support.
“Most patients say they are willing and motivated – but need greater support and access to clear, trustworthy information”
What you can do
For Self Care Week, Ade says pharmacy teams can:
- Display Self Care Week posters in the pharmacy to alert customers to the national awareness week
- Host 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.
The Self Care Forum also encourages the promotion of these messages to customers:
- Taking vitamin D supplements, particularly important for those shielding and unable to go outside
- Good nutrition and regular exercise to support general wellbeing and help maximise people’s immunity
- Adopting positive lifestyle choices
- Increasing health literacy levels in the community and in schools
- Supporting mental wellness by keeping connected, ensuring a sense of perspective, and taking further steps to maintain health
- Understanding how to manage common ailments and long term health conditions.
The Self Care Forum also has fact sheets to help healthcare professionals to discuss self care in the pharmacy and as resources for patients to take home – plus, they are multi-lingual, making them a great asset to have on hand.
Along with the fact sheets, posters, social media assets and pharmacy toolkits can be found for free at selfcareforum.org.
“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,” says Ade.
“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.”
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