Sainsbury’s is set to become the UK’s first grocer to offer out-of-hours GP appointments in a Greater Manchester store from next month.
Doctors from three different surgeries will work from a consulting room at the store, at Heaton Park, near Prestwich.
It is the first phase of a£126,000 pilot by the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust to provide extended-hours medical care.
The clinic will be staffed by doctors from private company Doctors in Store. The pilot will run for six months and starts on March 3.
The Sainsbury’s surgery will run appointments between 6.30pm and 9pm on Monday and Thursday, and between 11am and 3pm on Saturdays.
Retail Week first revealed Sainsbury's plans for in-store GP surgeries in February 2006.
Last year, the Government said that supermarkets and other private companies were being invited to run GP surgeries as part of the drive to improve access to care in deprived areas.
Dr Mohammed Jiva, who runs Doctors in Store, said: “Patients’ needs are changing and so it’s important that we find ways to provide a more flexible and convenient service.”
Asda is also thought to be considering opening an out-of-hours GP surgery at its store in Hounslow, west London.
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