Tesco makes new healthcare services available to customers while they shop

Customers in the refurbished Cheshunt Extra store will be the first to access advice, treatment and virtual GP appointments for a range of health concerns in the supermarket giant’s first ever dedicated health zone.

The new pilot store brings together food, health and wellness ranges, alongside enhanced pharmacy and healthcare services.

Two further stores are planned to have the additional healthcare services with Hexham, Northumberland and West Durrington, West Sussex set to follow in 2025, and if the pilot is successful, more could be rolled out across the country.

Health appointments will take place in two new private consultation rooms, delivered in-person by pharmacists, or in person and virtually by other healthcare specialists.

The new services available to customers include fast and convenient access to a range of Bupa’s primary healthcare services, including virtual GP appointments, weight management support and earwax removal.

Other services include consultations with a clinician on managing menopause symptoms, appointments with Our Future Health – a collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors to build the UK’s largest health research programme, free advice on oral hygiene, and free and impartial advice from a healthcare professional on pregnancy and infant nutrition.

The move builds on Tesco’s existing in-store pharmacy offer, which provides services such as flu jabs, NHS Pharmacy First services, free blood pressure checks and free advice on cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Tesco chief commercial officer Ashwin Prasad 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.”

Grocery Gazette