150 GPs 'planned in Boots stores'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6738619.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Alliance Boots is reported to be planning to have GP surgeries in up to 150 of its stores, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Britain's first in-store doctor started seeing patients in a pilot scheme at a Boots in Poole, Dorset in February.

The GP came from a nearby surgery and was renting a room from Boots, but did not offer a walk-in service.

The retailer is also reported to be planning to almost double the 60 stores that stay open until midnight.

"Getting a GP appointment is becoming more difficult as is finding the time to make that appointment within working hours once it has been secured," Alex Gourlay, director of healthcare and store development at Boots told the Sunday Telegraph.

Alongside rolling out GPs in stores, Alliance Boots is planning to put consulting rooms in stores so that shoppers can get advice instead of having to see their GPs.

"In many cases people are taking time off work to see a GP for an ailment or condition that could be treated in the high street," Mr Gourlay added.