MECC is about having a brief conversation with a patient and introducing the idea of behaviour change but supporting them to make the change falls outside the remit of MECC. However signposting to expert advice should be part of a MECC conversation, this could be to a service provided within the pharmacy.

Why not as a team discuss additional services your pharmacy could offer?

Signposting is part of the NHS Pharmacy contract and pharmacies are used to signposting patients to health information and services, however signposting for health behaviours might require signposting to non-healthcare professionals and organisations, such as weight watchers or a local gym.

Consider the lifestyle issues MECC aims to address and think about the types of information you already have available in your pharmacy such as patient information leaflets, the pharmacist or your colleagues. If you think you could benefit from other types of information or information on different subjects talk to your pharmacist.

If your pharmacy is accredited as a Health Living Pharmacy (in England) or Health + Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) you will have a health champion or health and wellbeing advisor in place who you can refer a patient to for further advice and help. Your pharmacy should also have a signposting folder or SOP which will provide additional information on local services that you can signpost. If you do not have a SOP in place visit Support for selfcare or the Numark Healthy Living Pharmacy advice pages.

If your pharmacy is not accredited or working towards accreditation think about the information sources you could signpost a patient to and create your own signposting folder, these could include:

• Local NHS services - smoking cessation
• Websites - NHS Choices, Change4life, SmokeFree, Drinkaware Charities - Mind, British Heart Foundation, Samaritans
• Local organisations - weight watchers, slimming world, alcoholics anonymous, local authority leisure centres, private gyms

Remember! - any information you provide to patients must be up to date and accurate.