Target expands health clinic initiative

Target Corp. is adding more health clinics to its stores.



Target is opening clinics staffed and operated by Kaiser Permanente in 31 of the chain's stores In Southern California. The expansion builds on an existing collaboration the two companies launched in 2014.



Currently, there are four Kaiser Permanente-staffed Target Clinics in Southern California, with four set to open in November — two in San Diego, one in Orange County and one in Riverside. The rest are set to open in existing stores over the next three years.



"From annual flu shots to care for a child's sore throat, guests in our four pilot stores have told us they appreciate having access to high-quality health care services from Kaiser Permanente during their Target run,” Target senior director of wellness Steve Lafferty said. “Expanding the number of Target Clinic locations makes these offerings available to even more Southern California guests, and gives Kaiser Permanente members additional reasons to choose Target's easy, convenient and inspiring shopping experience.”



The clinics will be branded “Target Clinic, care provided by Kaiser Permanente” and be staffed by licensed nurse practitioners and vocational nurses, with physicians available for telemedicine consultations. It will offer such services as pediatric care, women’s health care, chronic disease monitoring and care, basic dermatology services and treatment for such minor illnesses as strep throat, vaccinations, sinus pain, earaches, asthma and cold and flu.



MinuteClinic has been providing Kaiser Permanente administrative services in support of the existing Target clinics, and it will provide the same services to the new ones when they open. After a clinic visit, Kaiser Permanente patients can receive a one-time fill at the CVS Pharmacy co-located to the Target Clinic.