The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is calling on pharmacy teams to identify carers and ensure that they get the support they need. There are an estimated seven million carers in the UK – individuals who provide unpaid care for a family member, partner or friend who couldn’t cope without support due to physical or mental illness, frailty, disability or addiction. It takes an average of two years for a carer to acknowledge their role, which means that they often miss out on support.

To coincide with Carers Week (8-14 June), PSNC has produced a document outlining the important role of carers and describing how pharmacies can assist them, as well as patient leaflets and a dedicated page on its website: psnc.org.uk. In addition, Alastair Buxton, PSNC director of NHS Services, has recorded a video for the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE)’s campaign on supporting older people, with information on support for carers.