The PABG has called for national strategy for self care, whilst creating a culture where people feel empowered to look after their health and wellbeing. This comes after Theresa May’s £20 million ‘birthday present’ to the NHS that was announced in June.

The PAGB believes that the NHS needs more than just a cash injection to deal with the pressures on services and calls for the development of a self care strategy. John Smith, PAGB, chief executive, said: “There are three key objectives a national strategy for self care must deliver: enhanced self care, improved health literacy and a realisation of the potential role of pharmacists”.

Mr Smith says that both empowering pharmacists to write in patient records, allowing referral to pharmacies for advice and training healthcare professionals to support people to self care could make all the difference.