Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major public health challenge in the UK, accounting for approximately one quarter of all deaths. National strategies such as the NHS Long Term Plan emphasise early identification and prevention through services including NHS Health Checks delivered in primary care (1). At the same time, pharmacy education reforms require graduates to develop prescribing competence at registration, increasing the need for meaningful clinical placements (2). However, opportunities in general practice are often limited due to service pressures and challenges in aligning placement activities with organisational priorities (3).
This project evaluated a structured general practice placement model designed to enhance pharmacy students' clinical competence while contributing to quality improvement in CVD prevention. Four second-year students completed one-week placements involving supervised delivery of NHS Health Check activities, including blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle counselling, smoking cessation support, and referrals to weight management services. Evaluation included workplace-based assessments, patient feedback, and audits of service outcomes.
All students achieved competency requirements, and patient satisfaction with student-led counselling was high (77.6%). Post-placement audits demonstrated improved prevention outcomes, including increased rates of controlled blood pressure, better documentation of smoking status, and greater delivery of lifestyle interventions. The pilot demonstrated that structured placements can simultaneously support workforce development and strengthen primary care contributions to CVD prevention.