Britain Gets First Clinic at Supermarket

Milk? Check. Bread? Check. Check blood pressure? Uh, check.

Busy Britons stopping for groceries at the J. Sainsbury supermarket in this northern England city can now add a doctor's appointment to their shopping list.

Across from the yogurt and fruit juice aisle, Dr. Mohammed Jiva's in-store clinic, the first of its kind in Britain, opened for business Monday.

Although similar services exist in the United States at some Wal-Mart stores and drugstore chain outlets, this compact clinic is different because it is part of Britain's National Health Service — meaning treatment will be free of charge.

''This is not a commodity off the shelf that you can buy. This is something that the taxpayer has a right to,'' Jiva told The Associated Press.

ASDA Group Ltd., Wal-Mart's British subsidiary, has unveiled proposals in the last week for its own test of in-store clinics, in London and in the Lincolnshire area of northeastern England.

While the British Medical Association has raised concerns about health care being provided in the same place that patients can stock up on cigarettes and splurge on sweets, Jiva believes his practice might spur some responsible shopping.

''We can assist the public health agenda around obesity and coronary heart disease,'' he said.

While the service at the Sainsbury store is free, the clinic is still subject to National Health Service rules that bar non-locals from using it. Only residents of nearby Middleton can use the doctor — and they will have to book appointments.

That might discourage business.

''I can't see the point really,'' said Kevin Murphy, who was grocery shopping. ''If I still have to book an appointment I may as well go to my normal surgery (clinic). It would be much easier if I could just turn up.''

Jiva, however, thinks the clinic may attract people who don't find time to get to the doctor during working hours. The clinic — no bigger than a parking space — will be open weekdays, two evenings a week and Saturday.

''I'm sure there are a number of patients who would put their own work or personal lives before their own health because of lack of time during the day,'' Jiva said.

Given his own lengthy working hours, Jiva said he finds his location convenient, too.

''At least I can get my shopping done when I've finished a shift,'' he said.

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On the Net:

http://www.doctorsinstore.co.uk