Healthy Living Pharmacy

What is a Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP)?

HLP is now an essential service requirement as part of the five-year deal between PSNC, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); this reflects the priority attached to public health and prevention work.

Concept and Background

The concept of Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) was first developed in Portsmouth as part of the national policy captured in 2008 White paper, ‘Pharmacy in England: building on strengths – delivering the future’.

The HLP concept is a tiered commissioning framework aimed at achieving consistent delivery of a broad range of high quality services through community pharmacies to meet local need, improving the health and wellbeing of the local population and helping to reduce health inequalities.

This concept fits with broader NHS and Public Health policies and strategic plans which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the population whilst demands and expectations are increasing and funding is challenged.

It is also an organisational development framework underpinned by three enablers of:

  • Workforce development – a skilled team to pro-actively support and promote behaviour change, improving health and wellbeing;
  • Premises that are fit for purpose; and
  • Engagement with the local community, other health professionals (especially GPs), social care and public health professionals and local authorities.

Community pharmacies wishing to become HLPs are required to consistently deliver a range of commissioned services based on local need and commit to and promote a healthy living ethos within a dedicated health-promoting environment.

Training and Self Accreditation HLP Level 1

To help keep this page up to date we have linked to the PSNC webpage  for HLP as this page is constantly updated and monitored.

Here you will find all links and information needed to become a HLP. This includes lots of useful resources and lists of training providers. To become a HLP you will need a Health Champion who has completed the Health Champion Understanding Health Improvement training and works full time hours.  There are several organisations that provide HLP training and some of these are listed within the link above.

Every HLP needs a leader that has completed some form of leadership training. The CPPE module for registered Pharmacists/Technicians is the recommended accredited training pack.

National Resources

PSNC have developed lots of useful tools and documents for pharmacies to use to help support during the process of becoming a HLP. These documents can be found here.

Dementia Friends website.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is a simple concept which can be used by all Health Champions and pharmacy support staff to give patients the opportunity to engage in proactive conversations about health.

RSPH Impact pathways for everyday interactions

Local Resources

For support and information on the locally commissioned services for Norfolk click here

Just One Norfolk Just One Norfolk is a resource for Norfolk parents, careers, children and professionals to seek information help and advice on all childhood and adolescent services and support. The JustOneNorfolk QR sheets can be printed here for use in the pharmacy or for people to use at home.

HILS (Health Information Leaflet Service) Here you will find lots of useful resources that can be printed or ordered for delivery to your pharmacy.

Everyday Interactions Resources 

For further support or help with HLP please contact Community Pharmacy Norfolk