Skaith, the elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said as well as getting more people back onto the county’s high streets, pressure could also be reduced on hospitals.
Meanwhile, if his plan went ahead it could also prove easier for patients from rural communities to get to appointments, he said.
“We’re talking to the NHS and are looking at the space and where the units would best fit,” he said.
“We’ve identified a couple, but just need to make sure they’re fit for purpose and the investment they would need to get going.”
Skaith said rural healthcare – and the problems people had accessing it – was an important focus of his proposals.
“It’s one thing doing it in York, where people are in striking distance of the hospital,” he said.
“But it’s another thing doing it out in the moors or the Dales. Right now, their health offering is not good enough.
“So, we’re looking at taking the strain off front-line hospital services, looking at what health is available in rural communities, and getting more footfall onto high streets.”