Public Health (Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles)
Public Health (Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles)
Each financial year (1st April to 31st March), pharmacies are required to participate in up to six health campaigns at the request of NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I). This generally involves the display and distribution of leaflets provided by NHSE&I; see further details below.
In addition, pharmacies are required to undertake prescription-linked interventions on major areas of public health concern, such as encouraging smoking cessation. The requirements are set out in the service specification:
Essential Service 4 – Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles (Public Health) Service Specification
Please note that changes to the requirements for health campaigns have been made since the publication of the service specification.
Mandatory health campaign topics in 2022/23
PSNC is currently in negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHSE&I on Year 4 (2022/23) of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. Once negotiations are finalised, we will announce details of the 2022/23 campaigns through our normal communication channels.
Collection of data on campaigns
Where requested to do so by NHSE&I, each pharmacy must record the number of people to whom information is provided as part of one of these campaigns. NHSE&I can also ask for additional information in relation to the campaign.
Any additional information to be requested will initially be discussed with PSNC. The aim of requesting additional information will be to help to evaluate the impact of the campaign and to assist with future policy development. Contractors will be notified of the additional information which needs to be collected and supplied in advance of the campaign starting.
NHSE&I can request that the information on the campaign is provided to them electronically.
PSNC guidance on provision of materials for the six public health campaigns
If leaflets and posters or other patient literature are to form part of a public health campaign, these should be provided to the community pharmacy contractor by NHSE&I or alternatively a source of free leaflets, such as the Health and Social Care Publications Orderline, could be highlighted prior to the start of the campaign. It is not a requirement of the service for the contractor to purchase leaflets or to go online and download and print leaflets.
Related resources
DHSC / Public Health England / NHS England leaflets: some publications for nationally funded public health campaigns are available to order online from the Health and Social Care Publications Orderline or by calling 0300 123 1002.
Public Health England Campaign Resource Centre: The Campaign Resource Centre brings together information for partners on all Public Health England marketing campaigns. It’s the easy way to find the latest campaign information and resources for all campaigns. Community pharmacy teams can download or order materials from this website free of charge.
