Supermarket could house new Brighton doctors' surgeries (From The Argus)

Supermarket could house new Brighton doctors' surgeries

4:30pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Siobhan Ryan

People could combine their weekly shop with a visit to their GP under plans being drawn up by a major supermarket chain.

Sainsbury’s is planning to provide space for GP practices to set up at its stores in Lewes Road, Brighton, and East Grinstead.

The company says it is responding to demand from customers who have said having a GP surgery at their local store is something they would value.

It has been liaising with GPs across the country to see if it is something they would like to pursue.

It already has practices based in stores in 13 locations, but now wants to expand the network by seven.

The surgeries will not be run by Sainsbury’s and it will not be hiring any GPs. The scheme will be run as a landlord/tenant relationship.

Sainsbury’s professional services manager David Gilder said: “We know from experience that a Sainsbury’s store, often situated in a convenient location with ample parking and public transport links, is a really great spot for a GP surgery.

“Customers tell us they really value having this service on site and GPs tell us that the feedback they have had from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Walk-in healthcare

A spokeswoman for NHS Sussex said it had not been approached by Sainsbury’s regarding the proposals, but would look at them in the same way it would when any GP considers moving to a new location.

She said: “We consider all such opportunities in the context of our strategic planning for GP services.

“In Brighton we already have an easily accessible service which is open long hours – Brighton Station Health Centre is open 8am to 8pm 365 days a year, providing healthcare for people who walk in as well as patients registered with the GPs there.”

No date has been set for when the practices will open.

Other unusual locations considered by GPs in the city have included a former pub and a church.

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