Cleveland Clinic boots McDonald's from US hospital

The Cleveland Clinic health center will be getting rid of a McDonald's franchise after nearly a decade of trying to push the fast-food giant out of its hospital, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The renowned US hospital said the move is part of a series of reforms aimed at helping its 44,000 workers and millions of patients make healthier choices.

"It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) 's not about McDonald's, it's part of a broader effort by the Cleveland Clinic to try to change the conversation from sick care to health care," spokeswoman Eileen Sheil told AFP.

The hospital has already eliminated the sale of chocolate bars and sugary drinks and banned deep fryers in its cafeterias and restaurants, excluding the McDonald's eatery.

It also prohibited smoking on campus, stopped hiring people who smoke and added employee gyms and wellness programs.

But the McDonald's franchise had a 20-year lease, and the owner resisted all requests to leave early.

"It happens to be one of the busiest McDonald's in northern Ohio," Sheil said.

The lease is up at the end of September, but since the owner is retiring and moving to Florida, it will close on September 18, she said.