Travel clinics target ‘commuter patients’

A BUSINESS specialising in travel clinics has opened a new site in Liverpool aimed at “commuter patients”.

MASTA Travel Clinics is targeting commuters who it believes are short on time and seldom have a chance to visit their GPs for travel-related health services.

It is also targeting Merseyside companies and will offer specialist services for employees travelling on business and occupational health advice such as pre-employment screening, sickness absence and lifestyle assessment for workers.

Diane Haddock, nurse manager at the clinic, said: “The increasing desire for DIY holidays, late bookings for further and faster travel and people’s eagerness to indulge in adventure and exploration is creating customers that need and expect travel health advice at short notice and at a time to suit them.”

“The reality is that the mindset of travellers, including those heading long haul, is not to think weeks ahead about health protection. Travel medicine and advice needs to meet that challenge and respond to the changing expectations of travellers.”

Leeds-based MASTA has identified the commuter patient as someone who spends at least half an hour a day travelling from home to work, is aged 25-54 and works longer hours than average.