When you need medical advice, you don’t usually think of popping to the shops to get it, but one supermarket is offering customers new health services while they shop.
Tesco has been testing GP services with its staff over the last year, as part of an expansion of its existing in-store pharmacy offer. This has proved so successful that the retailer is now going to be trialling it with customers as well.
Partnering with several UK healthcare companies including Bupa, Tesco will be offering ‘quick and easy’ access to advice, treatment and virtual GP appointments for a range of health concerns, in the supermarket’s first ever dedicated health zone. The idea is that shoppers will be able to manage all aspects of their wellbeing, from food to health, in one place.
Initially the service has only launched in one location, but the retailer plans to bring the additional healthcare to two other supermarkets in 2025. If these locations prove successful, more health zones could launch across the UK in the future.
Tesco’s first health zone is located in the Cheshunt Extra store in Waltham Cross. Next year you’ll also be able to get GP appointments in Hexham in Northumberland and West Durrington in West Sussex.
The health appointments take place in private consultation rooms, either virtually by specialists, or delivered in-person by pharmacists. It’s worth noting though, that GP appointments won’t be free, as they are pay-as-you-go private healthcare.
As well as access to Bupa’s services, which include the virtual GP appointments, weight management support and earwax removal, customers can also book consultations with a clinician on managing menopause symptoms from Stella, the online menopause clinic, including advice and support around HRT.
There will also be appointments in partnership with Our Future Health, a collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors to build the UK’s largest health research programme. The programme is bringing together millions of volunteers to help prevent, detect and treat diseases. Participants also have the opportunity to learn more about their own health.
And those concerned about their oral hygiene will be able to get free advice from a qualified Oral Health Educator, in partnership with Haleon, which owns oral health brands like Sensodyne, Corsodyl, and Aquafresh.
Free and impartial advice from a healthcare professional on pregnancy and infant nutrition in partnership with Aptaclub will also be available.
Tesco’s existing in-store pharmacy serves half a million customers every week across 365 UK pharmacies, providing everything from flu jabs and NHS Pharmacy First services, to free blood pressure checks and free advice on cancer, heart disease and diabetes supported by Tesco health charity partners.
As part of the wider healthcare offer, further information will also be available from the health charity partners, initially focusing on heart health advice from the British Heart Foundation.
Ashwin Prasad, Chief Commercial Officer at Tesco, said: ‘Good health starts with good food, but it also relies on people being able to get the right support, advice and care, as early as possible to help prevent ill health and not just manage it. With our network of stores and pharmacies in communities all over the UK, we are uniquely placed to help make food and healthcare accessible to our customers – and reduce some pressure on the NHS too.
‘Our new pilot means customers visiting our Cheshunt Extra store – and other stores in coming months – can now get advice from one of our pharmacists or specialist partners, book a GP appointment for a time that suits them, and pick up healthy food, prescriptions and nutrition supplements, all without making an extra trip.
‘We’ll be testing, learning and listening to feedback to understand what customers think and what further changes we can make to help them look after themselves and their families.’
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