MORE supermarkets and high street stores are being urged to follow Poole's example and host GP surgeries.

Last month, a pioneering GP healthcare clinic opened its doors at Boots in Poole town centre, the first of its kind in the country.

The surgery, based at the Dolphin Centre store, has attracted widespread support, allowing patients to fit in a GP appointment while they shop.

Government ministers now want to see similar projects rolled out across the country, and are encouraging high street stores and supermarkets to join up with GPs or health firms to host services.

Private health firms, GPs and social enterprises are also being invited to bid for contracts to provide doctor services in deprived areas, including extended opening hours.

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.

"We now want to help the NHS plug the last remaining gaps by introducing new services, reducing the pressure on existing practices and giving patients the choice they deserve.

"Thousands of NHS patients who would have otherwise found it difficult seeing a GP will benefit from new deals between the NHS and new providers."

At the Poole branch of Boots, a doctor from the nearby Carlisle House Surgery is based in-store, offering GP services to shoppers at the Dolphin Centre.

Boots say the aim is to provide a "one-stop" community healthcare centre under one roof.

Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust also hopes to offer more services such as blood tests, physiotherapy and smoking clinics by the end of the month.

Rob Payne, NHS project manager for the centre, said they had modelled the service to local needs.

He said: "We've had positive feedback for being so accessible, the transport links and how easy it has been to use.

"People say they have problems with bus passes getting to other surgeries, but it's a lot easier as we're in he centre of town."