Pharmacies in Brighton & Hove are set to provide more healthy living support for local people with the launch of the first 'Healthy Living Pharmacies' in the city.

Brighton's Green MP Caroline Lucas today opened the first pharmacy to be offering the extended services under the HLP scheme at Superdrug on Western Road.

Healthy Living Pharmacies will provide more comprehensive services including help to stop smoking, referral to local exercise programmes, advice on eating healthily, free emergency contraception, and general support and lifestyle advice.

Around 20 Healthy Living Pharmacies are expected to be launched across Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.

Speaking after the launch, Caroline said:

"Many congratulations to Shilpa Patel and the team at Superdrug on Western Road for winning the city's first ever Healthy Living Pharmacy accreditation.

"The HLP initiative has been a huge success in Portsmouth, offering customers valuable advice on everything from living healthier lifestyles to managing long term medical issues, and providing useful training for staff.

"It makes total sense to use the skills and experience of pharmacists to reach out to more people in community and promote greater healthcare, and I'm delighted that people in Brighton will now be able to benefit from this scheme."

Dr Andrew Foulkes, NHS Sussex Medical Director, said:

"Each Healthy Living Pharmacy will have specialist staff who can offer help and support on a range of health issues - this will make it even easier for local people to get expert advice on more than just medicines.

"The future of healthcare is changing rapidly, and we are leading the way in delivering a much broader range of support services, expert advice and help right on the high street where it's accessible to everyone.

"We are proud to be launching the first accredited Healthy Living Pharmacy in Brighton and Hove." 

To become a Healthy Living Pharmacy, staff must be trained to become Health Trainer Champions and the pharmacy must provide a range of quality NHS services and have a consultation room for private discussions.

The development of Healthy Living Pharmacies is being managed by NHS Sussex and the East Sussex Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

Brighton and Hove and East Sussex are both pathfinder sites for the national project which was first developed in the Portsmouth area.

ENDS