Abstract Introduction Preventative healthcare is becoming a greater priority for the UK Governments with life expectancy increasing and subsequent healthcare expenditure growth due to the development of multiple long-term health conditions [1]. Pharmacy is the third largest healthcare profession in the UK. Each devolved nation within the UK has a long-term vision for pharmacy with ambitions for community pharmacy (CP) to become more integrated in the prevention agenda. This research aimed to identify non-pharmacological preventative healthcare services currently provided by CPs throughout the UK. The study also sought to determine any barriers affecting the delivery of these services and to assess how they align with the objectives set out in the pharmacy long-term visions. The review explores the existing literature to establish what further research may be necessary to bring about future policy and contractual changes to improve the public health value of CPs. Aim The aim of the study was to address the research question, "What is the role of community pharmacy in non-pharmacological preventative healthcare in the UK?" Method The study used a scoping review methodology following Arksey & O’Malley’s [2] six-step framework to answer the research question which was formulated using the ‘PCC’ pneumonic. A literature search was performed using three databases, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, along with grey literature searching and citation tracking. Results Data from 19 papers and the grey literature search were extracted and reviewed using inductive analysis. The scoping review identified 20 non-pharmacological preventative healthcare CP services and 17 influencing factors affecting delivery. ‘Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention’, a service where patients are assessed for high-risk alcohol consumption behaviours and then provided with safe drinking advice, was the most reported service. ‘Time for service delivery’ and ‘financial considerations’ were the most frequently reported barriers and ‘location / opening hours’ the most frequently reported enabler. Discussion Most of the papers had a small sample size and/or were conducted in a small geographical area of England. There was one paper based in Northern Ireland, one in Scotland and one in Wales. This made drawing conclusions challenging, however, it was evident that there is variation of non-pharmacological preventative health services from CPs across the UK and within each of the nations. The review identified additional research that may need to be undertaken to influence future policy or contractual changes. It is recommended that future studies focus on non-pharmacist CP staff as the primary population. Further research is also warranted for services identified in only a single publication, and additional evidence is required to assess the impact of non-pharmacological CP preventative healthcare service delivery throughout the UK. Keywords Community pharmacy, preventative healthcare
Abstract Introduction Hypertension is a major global health problem affecting over 1.3 billion people and leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden [1]. Lifestyle interventions are critically important in hypertension management due to their effectiveness, sustainability, low-cost, and potential to reduce or eliminate the need for medication, but they are relatively under-represented in research. Little is known about patients’ experiences of lifestyle interventions during hypertension clinics, and there is concern that poor interactions could hinder lifestyle interventions and lead to worse clinical outcomes [2]. Aim This study’s aim was to identify, report, and discuss the literature evidence on lifestyle interventions during hypertension clinics from patients’ perspective, and to use this evidence to inform better clinical practice and patient care. The objectives of the research were to identify and evaluate patients’ experiences, communication strategies, information needs, and the barriers and facilitators of lifestyle interventions in hypertension clinics. Method A scoping review methodology was used to map the literature, following the six-step framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, and further developed by Levac et al. and Peters et al [3]. A comprehensive search of CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and grey literature identified 976 studies (2013–2023). After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 43 articles underwent full-text review, with 31 excluded, leaving 12 studies. The selection process was documented using a PRISMA flow chart and results were analysed using an inductive descriptive approach. Results 12 studies, mostly qualitative (n=11) and one Randomised Controlled Study (RCT) (n=1), were identified, which included a total of 268 adults with hypertension aged 18-90 years (116 males and 152 females). The determinants of patients’ experiences fitted into three main themes or factors: patient (personal), clinician, and hypertension clinics factors, which could act either as barriers or facilitators for lifestyle interventions. Discussion Patients generally reported positive experiences and satisfaction with lifestyle interventions in hypertension clinics, but adherence was often challenged by factors such as low motivation, time constraints, and socioeconomic or cultural influences. Success was strongly linked to personalised approaches, continuous education, and multidisciplinary support from clinicians, family, and community resources, with digital tools and psychosocial support helping to sustain long-term engagement. When it comes to effective public health interventions, vaccination has been widely acknowledged as the most significant of the past century. Predicting the most important interventions for the 21st century is difficult, but it could be argued that due to the globalisation of unhealthy lifestyles and increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, finding effective ways to support lifestyle interventions could have an extraordinary, cost-effective, and sustainable impact on health, saving millions of lives worldwide. Future research on lifestyle interventions should adopt diverse, theory-informed, and multidisciplinary approaches to examine long-term outcomes of lifestyle interventions, including the influence of patient characteristics, co-morbidities, clinicians’ perspectives, and new technologies, such as mobile health apps and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Keywords Hypertension, Lifestyle Intervention(s), Patient Experience(s)
Abstract Introduction The Royal Pharmaceutical Society published guidance on Expanding Prescribing Scope of Practice in 2022 [1]. There is limited research understanding how prescribing Scope of Practice (SOP) is defined, expanded and applied by Pharmacist Independent Prescribers (PIPs) working in general practice. With the number of PIPs rising and new registrants qualifying as prescribers from 2026, there is a timely need to understand how PIPs working in general practice interpret prescribing SOP to support effective role utilisation, future workforce development and safe implementation in general practice [2]. Aim Understand how PIPs interpret and apply the concept of prescribing SOP when working in generalist roles in general practice. Method A qualitative semi-structured interview study was conducted with purposive sampling, using university prescribing course providers as gatekeepers. The inclusion criteria were three years minimum experience as a PIP and currently employed in a generalist role in UK general practice. PIPs were excluded if they were not currently prescribing. Topics explored were prescribing SOP and the patient, professional, educational and organisational factors that influence prescribing SOP. Ethics approval was granted from University of Bath Research Committee [EP (Jones, 2022) 22 011]. Data were collected between 2022 and 2024. Deidentified verbatim transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Results Twenty-six participants were interviewed. Backgrounds included community, hospital, primary care, military, legal, education and policy sectors. Three overarching themes were identified (i) ‘Making sense of prescribing SOP’, (ii) ‘Influences on prescribing SOP’ and (iii) ‘Prescribing competence’. Findings suggest that prescribing SOP is not a fixed or uniformly understood construct, but rather a fluid, context dependent and individually negotiated framework. Prescribing SOP is shaped by professional experience, access to supervision, clinical responsibilities and workplace demands. While the requirement to define a prescribing SOP during Independent Prescribing training was found to offer an initial scaffold for early prescribing practice, its applicability diminished as PIPs transitioned into generalist roles characterised by multimorbidity, polypharmacy and service driven prescribing. Participants perceived their diagnostic capabilities as comparatively limited and therefore orientated their prescribing towards prescribing tasks where pharmacological expertise and diagnostic awareness, rather than full diagnostic authority were sufficient. Discussion PIPs working in general practice are moving away from the traditional model of prescribing within a specialised prescribing SOP and adopting broader and less defined approaches to prescribing to meet patient and workforce needs. Uncertainty around the concept of prescribing SOP is causing insecurity and professional tension with potential implications for inter-professional working, access to medicines and work force planning. Participants were restricted to three years minimum prescribing experience to allow for considerable reflection but means this work is limited by lack of representation of the voices of newly qualified PIPs. Participants wanted greater understanding, recognition and acceptance within policy of the requirement to prescribe broadly in general practice. This is an opportunity for the new Royal College of Pharmacy to lead discussions on how prescribing SOP is conceptualised and operationalised by PIPs working in generalist roles in general practice. Keywords Prescribing Scope of Practice, Pharmacist Independent Prescriber, Pharmacist Prescribing, General Practice
Abstract Introduction Inclusion at work requires a non-discriminatory setting, policy planning and compliance with equality legislation. CPPE set a strategic ambition to facilitate employee perceptions of inclusion of cultural, religious and identity-linked differences aligned to the nine protected characteristics defined in the UK Equality Act 2010 through actively celebrating diversity. Measuring progress of the workstream helps identify improvements. Aim To compare employee perceptions of inclusion, and experiences of discrimination before and after implementation of the Celebrating diversity workstream of CPPE’s EDI strategy. Method Comparisons of results of routine CPPE staff surveys on EDI conducted by The University of Manchester in 2022 (before implementation of EDI strategy) and 2025 and 2026 (after implementation) were made. Participation was voluntary and open to all staff. Results were evaluated to explore impact of celebrating diversity on perceptions of inclusion. Celebrating diversity workstream objectives included: Employees educating one another through sharing of personal stories related to their culture, religion or identity; Accommodating religious and cultural observances when planning workshops or approving annual leave; Embedding mandatory cultural competence education within staff training and development policy; and Implementing pronoun sharing and name pronunciation guidance and tools. Results Survey results were as follows: for “I feel I belong at the University”, 88%, 70% and 73% agreed or strongly agreed in 2022, 2025 and 2026, respectively; for “The University (CPPE) is committed to EDI for all staff”, the corresponding values were 94%, 86% and 91%; for “Individual differences (eg, culture, background, ideas) are respected at the University”, they were 93%, 93% and 95%; and 3%, 2% and 3% reported feeling discriminated against at work at the University in the previous 12 months. Survey response rates were 62% (n=128), 24% (n=43) and 46% (n=75), respectively. More positive outcomes were achieved in 2026 for three out of four questions than in 2025, and for one out of four questions than in 2022. Discussion Employee perceptions of respect for difference improved after implementation of the Celebrating diversity workstream of CPPE’s EDI strategy. Perceptions of inclusion and belonging improved in 2026 compared with 2025 but are lower than perceptions before implementation of the Celebrating diversity workstream. Perceptions of discrimination remain consistent. The low 2025 survey response provides challenges in generalisability of results. A long term multi-pronged strategic approach to inclusion and discrimination may facilitate cultural improvement over time. The survey was not explicitly designed to measure the impact of CPPE EDI workstreams and the decrease in measures over time could be due to employees becoming more aware of discrimination and empowered to report incidents, or due to the influence of factors outside of workplace control. Other EDI strategic workstreams beyond Celebrating diversity may have influenced employee perceptions. Monitoring employee diversity data will provide another data source for further evaluation of perceptions of inclusion. Keywords inclusion, diversity, discrimination, cultural, strategy
Abstract Introduction Being bestowed a Fellowship of the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) (formerly Royal Pharmaceutical Society), represents the highest level of recognition within the pharmacy profession [1]. Achieving Fellowship is regarded as a marker of distinction, leadership, and sustained contribution to the profession. However, to date no literature exists to support the value placed on or impact of receiving this award. Research across other professional groups has largely focused on processes of obtaining Fellowship and its perceived benefits, with limited attention to personal meaning [2]. Understanding how Fellowship is experienced at a personal level is particularly important as the newly formed RCPharm seeks to strengthen professional identity and leadership across the profession. Aim To explore the personal and professional meaning of RCPharm Fellowship status, and to examine how this recognition influences professional identity, leadership and motivation. Method A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed using semi-structured, one-to-one interviews(University Ethics approval reference 15407). Fellows residing in Wales were identified from the Fellows list [1] by the research team (December, 2025) and 15 a selected using a purposive sampling [3] framework to ensure a range of characteristics (sector, geography, sex, stage of career -22% of approximately 50 Wales Fellows [1]). Of those approached, eleven agreed to take part. Following interviews were conducted online (March to April, 2026), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Three overarching themes were identified: 1) Emotional Response, 2) Expectations and Responsibility, and 3) Opportunities to Influence RCPharm. Theme 1 captured how becoming a Fellow elicits strong emotional responses, including surprise, pride, and validation, often reflecting unanticipated recognition rather than goal-directed achievement. Peer recognition emerged as a central component of this, reinforcing professional credibility, sense of belonging, and identity. Participants described Fellowship as providing a confidence boost that reaffirmed career trajectories, while also conveying deeper symbolic meaning related to purpose and professional worth. Theme 2 represented how obtaining Fellowship status generated heightened expectations, strengthening their perceptions of themselves as role models and leaders. This came with a sense of responsibility to uphold professional standards, mentor others, and contribute to the advancement of pharmacy. Fellowship was also described as intrinsically motivating, encouraging continued engagement and contribution. Theme 3 highlights Fellowship as a potential mechanism for shaping the future of the professional body, particularly in the context of transitioning to the new RCPharm. The role of Fellows in contributing their expertise, advocacy, and leadership in guiding the profession was felt to be an important aspect and considered to be currently underutilised. Limited awareness and understanding of the Fellowship application process were identified as barriers to broader engagement and inclusivity. Discussion This small qualitative study provides preliminary data indicating the personal and professional meaning associated with Fellowship status. The findings suggest that Fellowship holds important subjective value, reinforcing belonging, motivation, and professional purpose. Further research across broader geographical contexts, drawing on quantitative methodology is needed to explore the generalisability of these findings to all (approximately 840 [1]) GB Fellows and evaluate the impact of Fellowship on career development, the wider pharmacy workforce and shaping the new professional body. Keywords Fellowship, Professional Recognition, Professional Body
