Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common long-term conditions in Scotland, yet it can develop silently for years before anyone notices.
According to Public Health Scotland, around 5.7% of the population lives with type 2 diabetes, and because early symptoms are often mild or absent altogether, many cases go unnoticed until complications have already begun.
Getting an HbA1c test in pharmacy settings offers a quick, accessible way to check where you stand, without waiting weeks for a GP blood test.
At McMinns Pharmacy in Wishaw, this simple test is now part of our everyday health checks.
What Is an HbA1c Test?
HbA1c stands for glycated haemoglobin.
Rather than measuring your blood sugar at a single moment, the way a finger-prick glucose test does, HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months.
This makes it the gold-standard test used by GPs and specialists to diagnose and monitor diabetes, because a single glucose reading can be skewed by what you’ve eaten that day, whereas HbA1c gives a much steadier, longer-term picture.
Helpfully, this also means you don’t need to fast beforehand, unlike a standard glucose test.
Why HbA1c Testing Matters
Public Health Scotland data shows that hospital admission rates linked to type 2 diabetes have risen from 35.2 to 45.5 per 100,000 people between 2011/12 and 2023/24, a trend that underlines why earlier detection matters.
Left undiagnosed, gradually raised blood sugar increases the risk of longer-term complications, including nerve damage, eye disease and cardiovascular problems.
Testing is particularly worthwhile if you:
- are over 40 (or over 25 if you’re of South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or Black African heritage, per Diabetes UK guidance)
- have a parent, brother, sister or child with type 2 diabetes
- are carrying excess weight, particularly around the middle
- have high blood pressure
- have had gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome
Excess weight is considered the single greatest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, but age, family history and ethnicity all play a part too.
Testing isn’t about diagnosing yourself, it’s about giving your GP or pharmacist the information they need to advise you properly.
The Traditional Route vs an HbA1c Test in Pharmacy
Historically, an HbA1c test meant booking a GP appointment, having a blood sample sent to a laboratory, and waiting days for results, a process that can easily stretch to a couple of weeks. .
An HbA1c test in pharmacy is much more convenient.
No referral is required, appointments are often available the same day, and results can be ready within minutes.
How Does Pharmacy HbA1c Testing Work?
At McMinns Pharmacy, we use PocDoc, a smartphone-based testing platform built around the same HbA1c biomarker used in hospital laboratories. The process is straightforward:
- A trained member of our team takes a small finger-prick blood sample.
- The sample is applied to PocDoc’s patented microfluidic assay.
- The assay is scanned using the PocDoc app and your smartphone camera.
- Your HbA1c result, along with your personalised diabetes risk, is generated in a matter of minutes.
There’s no need for your sample to be sent away for laboratory processing, and no anxious wait for a phone call with your results.
HbA1c Testing in Scotland – Why Local Access Matters
Access to preventative health services can vary significantly across Scotland.
We all know what it is like getting a GP appointment and demand is only increasing.
Community pharmacies are increasingly stepping in to close that gap, offering fast, accurate HbA1c testing without the wait.
For those based in Wishaw and throughout North Lanarkshire, McMinns Pharmacy offers diabetes screening. This means preventative care no longer has to wait for the next available GP slot.
What Happens After Your Results?
Your results are explained clearly and in plain language, not just as a number on a screen.
As a general guide, an HbA1c below 42 mmol/mol is considered normal, 42–47 mmol/mol falls into the prediabetes range, and 48 mmol/mol or above meets the threshold associated with type 2 diabetes, which would need confirming with a follow-up test.
If your result falls in the prediabetes range, this is often reversible through changes to diet, activity and weight, and our team can talk through practical next steps or point you toward lifestyle support via your GP.
If your result suggests possible diabetes, we’ll recommend a prompt GP referral for confirmation and further management.
A pharmacy HbA1c check is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and it’s designed to work alongside your GP, not replace them.
Book Your £20 PocDoc HbA1c Test at McMinns Pharmacy
At McMinns Pharmacy, Wishaw, we offer a full PocDoc HbA1c test for just £20, with fast, accurate results while you wait. No referral, no lengthy wait for lab results, just a quick finger-prick test and a clear picture of your diabetes risk in minutes.
Book online or call us on 01698 372917 to arrange your appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast before an HbA1c test?
No. Unlike a standard glucose test, HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over the past two to three months, so fasting isn’t required.
How accurate is a pharmacy HbA1c test compared to a GP blood test?
PocDoc uses the same HbA1c biomarker relied on in hospital laboratories, giving a reliable point-of-care result. Where a diagnosis is being confirmed, your GP may still request a follow-up laboratory test, in line with standard clinical practice.
How quickly will I get my results?
Most patients receive their result within a few minutes of their finger-prick sample being taken.
Is an HbA1c test in pharmacy suitable for everyone?
It’s suitable for most adults, particularly those over 40, or over 25 for some ethnic groups at higher risk, and anyone with risk factors such as family history or excess weight. HbA1c testing isn’t used to diagnose diabetes in children, during pregnancy, or where type 1 diabetes is suspected, so speak to our team if any of these apply to you.