Health Promotion Standard Operating Procedure

Description

1. When to give healthy lifestyle advice. Healthy lifestyle advice should be given at every opportunity when appropriate. Cues for giving advice could be taken from: Presentation of a prescription for conditions which can be alleviated by changes in lifestyle, such as diabetes or hypertension, especially if the prescription is a new item, e.g. an omeprazole script for gastric reflux could offer an opportunity to mention changes to diet or avoidance of smoking. Request for OTC medication for certain conditions, e.g. cough mixtures for people who are obviously smokers, the promotion of a balanced diet to those requesting vitamin supplements. Opportunism-reference to campaign posters or leaflets to initiate conversations when members of the public visit the pharmacy, e.g. the national ‘Keep warm, keep well’ campaign. MURs- as these are conducted in the consultation room; this is an ideal opportunity to discuss issues which are more sensitive such as weight loss. NMS – healthy living advice is an integral part of this service. Blood pressure checks, cholesterol levels, healthy heart screening, diabetes screening. 2. How to give our advice. You should predominantly give verbal advice to patients; however, this may be supported by in-store leaflets, or by accessing information from a list of websites online.