Superdrug has launched “government-accredited” healthcare training for its store employees, it announced last week.
The retailer said its new Level 3 equivalent Healthcare Ambassador Accreditation was created to “strengthen the expertise of store colleagues” and help them to “deliver safe, informed advice on everyday health concerns”.
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It added that the eight-week programme, which is being debuted across 75 stores, “introduces a more structured and advanced level of learning for employees” and equips them “with the knowledge and confidence to provide clear, accurate and responsible healthcare advice”.
The rollout of the programme “will continue across the Superdrug store estate” over the next few months, it said.
Growing demand
According to a Superdrug survey of 634 customers, 65% “would value more in-store support and guidance for their health and wellbeing”.
Three-quarters of shoppers said “store colleagues are a helpful first point of contact for minor health concerns”, and 59% said they already “ask for advice on over-the-counter treatments”.
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Some 56% of those surveyed revealed that they “seek help” from store colleagues with “minor illnesses and symptoms such as sore throats, coughs and headaches”.
Superdrug said the findings show there is “growing demand for accessible healthcare support on the high street”.
Health on the high street
Superdrug chief operating officer Simon Comins said “people are increasingly looking for convenient, trusted support with everyday health concerns, and the high street has an important role to play”.
He added that the training programme “builds on the strong foundations already in place across [Superdrug] stores” and gives colleagues “even greater confidence to help customers with everyday health needs” and “offer clear, responsible advice at the right moment”.
“As demand for accessible healthcare support grows, it’s important that our teams are equipped to respond safely and confidently.”
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It follows the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) securing a pay 3% rise for Superdrug pharmacy staff from this April.
Trainee pharmacists also received a pay increase to £30k per year under the deal, and pharmacy managers with more than one year’s post-registration experience now earn a minimum salary of £55k.
And it comes after Superdrug in February launched the expansion of its “pharmacy-led weight loss service” to over 160 pharmacies.
