‘Doctors In Store’ will allow patients access to out-of-hours treatment.

Sainsbury’s has signed a deal to become the UK’s first supermarket to offer out-of-hours GP appointments.

The retailer’s Heaton Park store in Manchester will be the first to offer treatment under the pilot scheme from 3 March 2008.

The initiative, named ‘Doctors In Store’, is being lead by the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust (HMRPCT) at an investment of £126,000. It will run for six months initially and will be evaluated by the University of Cumbria.

Designed to assist those who work full time, patients will have access to GP appointments from 6:30pm until 9:30pm Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as between 11am and 3pm on a Saturday.

The scheme is being provided by PriMed Services, led by Middleton GP, Dr Mohammed Jiva. He said: “Patients needs are changing and so it’s important that we find ways to provide a more flexible and convenient service.”

HMRPCT is currently working with BARDOC (Bury and Rochdale Doctors On Call), on a second pilot to provide an extended hours service to people in the Rochdale area.

Dr Jiva added: “A number of practices in the local area have already come on board and once demand increases, we will explore the potential to roll this out to even further across the whole of Rochdale.”

In addition, GP practices in the borough have been invited to take part in a third pilot ‘Locally Enhanced Service’. This will allow the PCT to trial and learn from three different models.

For more information please visit: http://www.www.doctorsinstore.co.uk/

By Natasha Piscitelli