A MOBILE health clinic opens in a Wirral supermarket car park.

Our Future Health, the UK’s largest health research programme, has opened appointments in 12 new locations in September 2024, with 203 clinics overall across the UK, including one in Wirral.

The Birkenhead clinic is located in the car park of Tesco Extra, Bidston Link Road, Birkenhead, CH43 7AA. It's currently open until next Thursday, October 3.

Our Future Health mobile clinics are also opening in Crosby, Exmouth, Goole, Hartlepool, Maidstone, Mansfield, Plymouth and Streatham.

The programme is opening its first ever clinics in Wales, with Boots store clinics in Bridgend, Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil opening this month, and more Welsh clinics to come later in the year.

Our Future Health aims to transform the prevention, detection and treatment of conditions such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and stroke.

With up to five million volunteers right across the UK, the goal is to create one of the most detailed pictures ever of people’s health.

At their clinic appointment, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers will be offered information about their own health, including their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

In the future, volunteers will also be given the option to receive feedback about their risk of some diseases and have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research studies.  

Our Future Health is sending invitations to people who live near the new clinics. However, you don’t need an invitation to take part. Anyone over the age of 18 can join by signing up online at ourfuturehealth.org.uk, completing an online health questionnaire, and booking a short clinic appointment.

Dr Raghib Ali, Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer of Our Future Health, said: “We’re thrilled to open our first ever clinics in Wales, so Welsh people can take part and help build the biggest picture of health we’ve ever had in the UK.

“Taking part in Our Future Health is a way to represent your community in discoveries about disease and improve future healthcare.

“We need anyone and everyone to sign up because together, we can help people live longer and healthier lives.”