GP in supermarket 'in-store' clinics

A Rochdale GP is to take part in a new ‘in-store’ doctor’s polyclinic with Sainsbury’s.

Dr Mohammed Jiva, secretary of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Local Medical Committee, opening as many as 200 GP franchises at the supermarkets will be a great success, following a trial in Manchester.

The company has started approaching GPs to run surgeries alongside dentists and other health services in what it calls in-store polyclinics.

Now the supermarket chain, which has 785 stores, has appointed his company, PriMed Services Ltd, to vet applicants for franchises.

GPs could run extended hours or in-hours services or relocate entire branch surgeries at the stores.

NHS services would be funded by PCTs and GPs would also be able to carry out private work.

Jiva’s practice and three others have been offering extended hours surgeries at the store, which also offers podiatry and dental services and has plans for chiropody and physiotherapy.

Jiva said talks were already under way about sites in London and Leeds.

GPs are being offered three-year contracts and will pay PriMed £100 per month and £10 per hour rent to Sainsbury’s.