Farmers, agricultural workers and their families can now access free, confidential health checks without the need to book appointments using the Exmoor Rural Health Hub (ERHH), which launched in October last year.

Rural communities are among the hardest to reach for traditional health services. The ERHH has been set up to provide health checks and mental well-being support to those living and working in rural areas.

The free drop-in clinic, at Moorland village hall, close to the Exmoor Farmers livestock market site at Wheddon Cross, offers basic health screening, with referrals to GPs and other health professionals.

The nurses selected to deliver the service are highly attuned to the needs of the farming community, adept at recognising signs of either physical or mental well-being issues and intervening early.

The health checks last between ten and 15 minutes and include blood pressure measurement, cholesterol and blood glucose tests, general lifestyle pointers on alcohol consumption, smoking, diet and exercise, and emotional health and well-being advice.

The initiative is being supported and run by the NHS Somerset Foundation Trust, with sponsorship from NFU Mutual, Shearwell Data Ltd and Avon & Somerset Police.

A reception launch was held at Shearwell Data in November attended by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw.

In addition to the problems farmers experience as a result of the physicality of their work, their mental well-being and that of their families is also under extreme pressure.

Incidents of suicide in farming communities nationally is high and poor mental well-being is the main topic of concern in an average of 700 calls a year received by the South West’s regional Farming Community Network helpline.

The next clinic is scheduled for Wednesday (February 9) from 11.30am-3.30pm. For more information and further clinic dates, visit www.erhh.co.uk

Farmers, agricultural workers and their families can now access free, confidential health checks without the need to book appointments using the Exmoor Rural Health Hub (ERHH), which launched in October last year.

Rural communities are among the hardest to reach for traditional health services. The ERHH has been set up to provide health checks and mental well-being support to those living and working in rural areas.

The free drop-in clinic, at Moorland village hall, close to the Exmoor Farmers livestock market site at Wheddon Cross, offers basic health screening, with referrals to GPs and other health professionals.

The nurses selected to deliver the service are highly attuned to the needs of the farming community, adept at recognising signs of either physical or mental well-being issues and intervening early.

The health checks last between ten and 15 minutes and include blood pressure measurement, cholesterol and blood glucose tests, general lifestyle pointers on alcohol consumption, smoking, diet and exercise, and emotional health and well-being advice.

The initiative is being supported and run by the NHS Somerset Foundation Trust, with sponsorship from NFU Mutual, Shearwell Data Ltd and Avon & Somerset Police.

A reception launch was held at Shearwell Data in November attended by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw.

In addition to the problems farmers experience as a result of the physicality of their work, their mental well-being and that of their families is also under extreme pressure.

Incidents of suicide in farming communities nationally is high and poor mental well-being is the main topic of concern in an average of 700 calls a year received by the South West’s regional Farming Community Network helpline.

The next clinic is scheduled for Wednesday (February 9) from 11.30am-3.30pm. For more information and further clinic dates, visit www.erhh.co.uk