Farmers invited to free health checks

FARMERS HAVE been urged to take advantage of free health checks at the start of the year.

Drop-in events held by the Yorkshire Rural Support Network start today at Ripon Farm Services’ open day at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground where trained nurses will be joined by the Farm Safety Foundation.

Other checks will be held at tomorrow’s Farmstar open day in Marr, near Doncaster, and at the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show which takes place at York Auction Centre on Wednesday, February 6.

At each event, the checks will be held between 11am and 1.30pm.

The checks include blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, but also cover wider issues.

Kate Dale, the co-ordinator of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “These checks are an opportunity for farmers to chat discreetly about anything that’s troubling them.

“Many of the nurses have farming connections and understand the farming psyche and the pressures they are facing.”

Mental health and farm safety are entwined, she explained.

She added: “If a farmer isn’t on top form and isn’t thinking straight, that’s often when accidents happen. It’s about getting people to think a little bit more about how they operate.”

Past health checks have alerted farmers to diabetes risks and have helped prompt dietary action to reduce weight.

Encouraging farmers to drop in to the events, Ms Dale said: “There’s nothing to lose. The checks are free and are held in a farming environment.”