The medical profession and opposition MPs have reacted angrily to plans announced by Patricia Hewitt, Health Secretary, to include GP surgeries in supermarkets.
The plan is to encourage one stop-shop medical centres in supermarkets with convenient opening hours. These centres may also perform minor procedures under the proposed scheme.
Dr Iona Heath, who sits on the Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said she was “devastated” by the proposal.
Dr Heath said there was ‘an in-built conflict of interest’ in working for a supermarket. “Tesco sells cigarettes, the biggest killer in rich countries, they sell alcohol, they sell a lot of nasty fizzy drinks, things that are just made up of water and calories and no nutrition at all.
“I don’t think the NHS, any part of the NHS, any branch, any outreach part of the NHS, should be in the business of selling cigarettes, alcohol and fizzy drinks.”
Dr Heath accused ministers of “stretching the social contract that finances the health service.”
“I pay tax in order that people who are sick can be looked after on the presumption that I will be looked after if and when I become sick.
“I’m not sure I’m paying tax so that people can pick up their prescription while they are doing their shopping in Tesco or have their ear wax syringed at 11.30pm at night. I’m not sure about that.”
Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary said, “Increasing the access to health care is always a good thing, but we have to ensure that two important issues are addressed.
“Firstly, the relationship that patients have with their GP practice must remain, and secondly the cost should not increase.”
Leave a Reply