Retailers to bid for in-store GP services

Retailers, including Tesco, Boots and Virgin are to be invited to bid to run GP surgeries on behalf of the NHS. The initiative follows a white paper that floated the idea last year and is intended to boost health care provision in deprived areas. Ministers are believed to be preparing contracts for 30 areas in England.

Retailers that are successful in winning a GP contract will be retained for five years. At present, private investment in the NHS is very limited and doctors have warned that they do not want this to be the first step towards privatising the service.

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt said: 'GPs are largely providing a good service, but there are still areas where NHS patients cannot rely on traditional practices.'

The first of the new services is expected to be in place before the end of the year.