Support service Carers Oxfordshire has said that pharmacies are "the single most effective" way of recruiting carers, after 350 were identified during a two-week campaign in Oxfordshire.

Carers Oxfordshire recruited 100 pharmacies to take part in the campaign, timed to coincide with National Carers Week in June. Each pharmacy was given leaflets and fridge magnets and was provided with a helpline number and details of how carers could receive emergency support.

The participating pharmacies identified 342 new carers during the campaign, organised with Oxfordshire LPC.

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	Pharmacies are a "non-threatening environment" where carers "feel very comfortable having a discussion with a pharmacist", said Carers Oxfordshire support manager Catherine Blaxhall. "I can't see why a pharmacy anywhere in the country couldn't contribute to carer identification."

"The early identification of carers is really vital to ensure that their health and wellbeing is maintained in order for them to continue in their caring role," she added. "There's huge difficulty in encouraging people to identify themselves early. Pharmacies seem to be an ideal way."

Pharmacies were "the easiest place to identify" carers, said Oxfordshire LPC chief officer Fiona Castle. "One of the first signs of being a carer is picking up someone's medicine on their behalf."

The campaign was also "really valued by patients", said pharmacist Akin Adeniran of Kidlington Pharmacy, which took part in the scheme. "It raised the profile [of pharmacists] and showed the things that we can do."

Carers Oxfordshire estimates that there are 60,000 informal family or unpaid carers in the county, who care for a friend or relative who would not manage without their help. The service aims to identify and support carers to prevent crises and breakdowns.