GPs and Primary Care Trust members dropped into a Redditch pharmacy on Friday to see a consultation room which forms part of a new approach to supporting patients on medication and promoting health.

Under a new NHS initiative, pharmacists will offer patients a wider range of services, including a "Medicine Use Review", which ensures patients get the best out of their prescribed medicine.

Chris Stock, of Matchborough Pharmacy, Matchborough Centre, said: "The new NHS contract for pharmacists is about developing our role in the community and offering more pro-active care and advice on medicines.

"Previously this was done on an ad-hoc basis but this will formalise it.

"Our role will also be to offer advice on issues like weight management or smoking cessation and offer simple tests like taking blood pressure or testing glucose levels and cholesterol."

Mr Stock added: "The new consultation room is essential for confidentiality and will certainly benefit patients."

Mr Stock's pharmacy is the first Vantage Pharmacy in the country to install the new-style consultation room.

A Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust spokesman said: "As a consequence of the new community pharmacy NHS contract, most pharmacies in the future will have a quiet area where patients can discuss their medication privately with their pharmacist.

"The PCT is working with local pharmacists to help them fulfil the new contract which will ensure a more flexible service for patients, help them to manage their medicines better and support those with minor ailments who want to care for themselves."