SAINSBURY'S has confirmed its interest in adding GP surgeries to its branches across the UK.

The supermarket chain's chief executive Justin King met Health Minister Caroline Flint to discuss the proposal. Further meetings are plan-ned with the Department of Health next week.

Sainsbury's currently has 161 pharmacies in-store and plans to open 50 more in the next 12 months, although not all will have surgeries if the proposal gets the go-ahead. A development team has already begun looking for suitable stores in which to test the scheme.

The plan is to place surgeries in warehouse space at the back of the supermarkets or upstairs.

"out of the way".