County Derry farmer praises Farm Families Health Checks team

Farmer Seamus McLaughlin was at Kilrea Mart recently where he took the opportunity to visit the Farm Families health checks van, which offers on the spot access to blood pressure monitoring, BMI analysis, cholesterol checks and diabetic screening within a mobile clinic setting.

The innovative service aims to make it easier for farmers and the rural community to access healthcare services, despite their long working days and busy schedules.

“I genuinely couldn’t believe how accessible it was. I can’t think of a single other service where you can get anything like that done, with just a short walk across a carpark, never mind a car park you are going to be in anyway,” said Seamus.

“It’s the only way you are going to catch a lot of the people who just wouldn’t take time out of their day to go look about their health, especially people that are just ‘getting on with it’.”

Seamus, who also works as Telecoms Officer for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, was full of praise for the nurses who deliver the checks: “The staff were great and explained everything really well. They gave good practical advice and demonstrations, and overall just made me feel comfortable.

“The scope of the tests was fantastic and covered the things that you were maybe curious about but would never take to a GP

“Turnaround was quick with the finger prick tests meaning I got all my results then and there – no additional phone calls or follow up required so nothing falls through the cracks.

“It is a great gateway for people who need additional help and otherwise wouldn’t know how to go about getting it. It probably also catches people who don’t even know they would benefit from getting these services.”

Throughout the summer the Farm Families Health Check team will be on hand at a range of different venues including Ballymena Mart (July 11), Castlewellan Show (July 19), Antrim Show (July 26), Omagh Mart (July 28) Clogher Valley Show (July 30) and Fermanagh Show (August 9) along with local livestock markets.

Farm Families Coordinator Christina Faulkner said she hoped Seamus’ positive feedback would encourage more farmers to drop in for a tailored check: “We were all delighted to hear about Seamus’ experience which really helps us to show how quick and easy it is to avail of our service.

“A visit to our mobile clinic could make all the difference in the long term and we’re looking forward to meeting with more farmers during the busy summer season and helping them to look after their health and wellbeing.”