A qualitative approach was adopted on the basis of being well-suited to exploring the range and depth of participants’ perspectives.2 Following institutional ethical approval, in-depth digitally recorded interviews were conducted with 18 staff (9 pharmacists, 8 HLCs and 1 technician) from HLPs in Staffordshire. The sample included participants

from HLPs of different SP600125 cost types (e.g. independents and branches of multiple chains) and locations to represent a broad range of views. Participants were recruited by sending an invitation letter to HLPs followed by telephone contact. The interview guide was developed from the objectives of the study and a review of the literature. Key topics included reasons for choosing to become a HLP, experiences of the process of their pharmacy achieving HLP status and experiences of providing public health services from their HLP. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis.2

Reported reasons for pharmacies becoming HLPs were business-related, professional standing-related or altruistic. Business-related reasons included viewing HLP status as find more the ‘way forward’, an opportunity to ‘set ourselves aside from non-HLPs’, but also concerns of not being commissioned to provide future enhanced services if they did not become a HLP. Professional standing-related reasons included increased local recognition for health service provision, whilst altruistic reasons included ‘giving something back to the local community’. Participants reported that the HLC training had increased their confidence in talking to customers Adenosine about sensitive lifestyle issues, but had been time consuming. Other barriers included training sufficient members of staff. Some participants also reported receiving little support. The time to

achieve accreditation ranged from 4 to 12 months. All participants seemed enthusiastic about the HLP initiative and most reported increases in the services provided and service users, especially of the smoking cessation service. Service users’ feedback was reported as being generally positive, although participants commonly also reported most customers appearing unaware of the pharmacy’s HLP status. Participants gave examples of new contacts established with local organisations providing health promotion, but reported observing little evidence of GP surgeries signposting patients to HLP services. Reported difficulties included time constraints, increased workload and cost. Several participants reported that the initiative might benefit from greater local publicity of the HLP brand and more synchronisation of health promotion campaign activity between HLPs. The findings suggest that the initiative has been beneficial for HLP customers and staff, despite difficulties in gaining accreditation and providing services.