Soon you may be able to get walk-in medical care at your commissary! The Navy is planning to test a new model of clinical health care in Jacksonville, Fl., with a walk-in clinic located in the commissary there.
This program is based on similar walk-in clinics available at big box retailers like Walmart and pharmacies like CVS. Details about specific services available are still being worked out by the Navy. However, the plan is to have the pilot clinic and any future clinics staffed by Navy corpsmen.
When we shared the proposal of this plan and ways that we thought it could be best used, MilitaryShoppers’ readers had strong reactions!
Many people had very positive reactions. An almost equal number of commenters had strong negative reactions. A few had neutral views on the issue.
On the positive side, several readers noted the convenience of one-stop shopping and medical care.
“I would definitely go to a clinic at the commissary,” commented Gena O’Neal. “Save me time and get shopping all at one time.”
It certainly could save many service members, veterans and their families from long drives and wait times for simple procedures.
“(H)aving the flu shots at the commissary in the fall could help ensure people would be up-to-date especially if there are short waiting lines,” wrote Willard Bauman. “Many times the lines in the hospital or clinic are long and the kids really can be unruly.”
This program could be used to expedite already common medical issues, like daily sick call.
“This sounds like a good idea,” wrote Edward J. Hermann. “Under certain circumstances I could certainly see using such a facility like a sick call operation.”
Currently, many service members, veterans, retirees and their families are experiencing long wait times to be seen at a military treatment facility. Sometimes they are visiting the local ER for more serious concerns or when they need a same-day diagnosis and treatment plan. This ties up ER personnel.
“It could cut down the use of the ER, especially on weekends, for those runny noses, colds, sinus, aches, etc., that many times plague the waiting rooms,” Bauman further commented. “The ER personnel could concentrate on true emergencies.”
Others commented on the expanded training capabilities and broadening of experiences for medical personnel.
“As a former Army medical member the idea of a clinic in the commissary sounds great,” Joseph Moorhouse wrote. “The medical personal would receive experience in a broad area of patients and an outpatient clinic in the store would be very convenient.”
Readers Question Food Safety
While many on the positive side cited increased convenience and access to timely medical care, others questioned the wisdom of having these clinics where we buy our food.
“Honestly, I don’t think that would be an appropriate place to see sick people. Why in heaven’s name would one allow germs around the foods that we have to eat?” wrote Dee. “I can’t see anything good coming of that idea.”
Many others echoed her thoughts. Some voiced support for the clinics as a place for vaccines.
“As a place to get a shot, I would have no problem with that,” commented Ken Myrick. “I really do not want to have to be around people who have infectious diseases around my food sources.”
Duane Schneider would completely avoid the commissary if walk-in medical care was added there.
“I would not go to the commissary for medical,” he wrote. “In fact, I would quit going to the commissary because it is crowded enough now without the traffic (of) sick people.”
Alternative Suggestions and More Questions
Some readers offered solutions to the concern about food safety. Several readers suggested opening a storefront in the commissary or exchange complex.
“I do think that the exchange venue would be a better alternative,” wrote Janet J. Bamford. “If the idea really ‘took off,’ it would be another step in the right direction. They are found within the military communities, and usually have longer operating hours. Furthermore, it could be an easier program to implement, if you began with a few shoppettes around the country. It’s unlikely that the corpsmen would be deluged with patients, especially if more than one shoppette in the community is staffed.”
Readers also raised concerns about who would be allowed to access these clinics.
“That sounds like a nice idea,” commented Catherine B. “Would they also treat veterans with commissary and exchange privileges?”
This pilot program is still in the planning stages and the Jacksonville, Fl., test clinic has not yet been opened.
This is a great concept. I am a retiree and have to drive 55 miles to my assigned military clinic, For minor problems, that is too far to go, so I go to local urgent care facilities where I have to wait at least 2 hours to be seen and I have to pay copay for medications. The closest commissary is only 5 miles away. I would love to see a clinic open at our commissary.
I hope soon!
I think it would be a great idea to have an in-house place for shots and a place in our own commissary to have this convenient medical stop for mild problems to ask for help about and get care while doing our weekly or monthly shopping.
There is so much congestion around the commissary and in the store now I can’t see adding more in that area.
We have drove around for almost 20 minutes to even get a parking spot now so adding a clinic there does not seem like a good idea.
If there was a building close by that could be fixed up for a clinic would be better. Inside of the commissary is full enough now for just grocery shopping adding other services would only make it more congested .