Surgery sells fruit to patients

Apples, oranges and bananas are sold in the surgery

A doctors' surgery has started a fruit-selling sideline to improve the health of patients and residents.

The Margaret Thompson Medical Centre in Speke, Liverpool, is selling 150 pieces of fruit a week at the cost price of 10p each.

The surgery set up the scheme - thought to be the first in the country - after the launch of a Government initiative to encourage fruit-eating.

Apples, oranges and bananas are sold to patients, staff and local residents.

Fruit rewards

Practice manager Lesley Eccleston said: "Very few shops in the area sell fresh fruit, so this service is proving to be a boon for patients, staff and the community in general.

"We are even finding that young mothers are rewarding children who attend our clinics with fruit, rather than with sweets."

The fruit-selling was launched with a grant from Merseyside Health Action Zone.

It is supported by the South Liverpool Primary Care Trust, and it is hoped the scheme will be extended to other practices.

Dr Kate Arden, director of public health at the health care trust, said: "This is a fantastic initiative to encourage a healthy approach to diet and we are delighted to be associated with it."