The ‘Help Us, Help You’ winter health awareness campaign has kicked off today (February 4) It will seek to raise public awareness of the advice and clinical services on offer in community pharmacy to help people with minor ailments.

PSNC and NHS England have agreed that this will count as one of community pharmacy’s six public health campaigns for the year, so participation in the campaign by displaying the materials is mandatory.

All community pharmacies should have received a resources pack which includes a double-sided window sticker, shelf wobblers, poster, information cards and a leaflet dispenser, says PSNC. These materials must be displayed in the pharmacy. Additional resources can be found on PHE's campaign resource centre.

The campaign is run by NHS England and Public Health England, and is described as a new overarching brand bringing together all strands of their winter health awareness activity. It will include advertising, partnerships, PR, social media, and specific Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and disability groups’ communications.

It is aimed at targeting “our key audiences prior to the Easter period when GP surgeries will be closed for four days,” the health bodies say.

They add: “The campaign will raise awareness that community pharmacists are qualified health professionals who can offer clinical assessment, advice, reassurance and over the counter medicines for a range of symptoms, and use of a consultation room should it be required.

“It will also aim to remind people that local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient clinical service for minor health concerns with no appointment needed, and that the pharmacy team can refer patients to further professional help where necessary.”