Farm Families Health Checks team at Balmoral Show

The Farm Families Health Checks team from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has enjoyed a successful time at Balmoral Show.

It was there throughout the event with a range of health partners offering cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks, along with diabetes screening, mental health assessment and general health advice.

There was also an emphasis on blood pressure checks, which is the health focus for the year ahead for the recently formed Northern Ireland Agri Rural Health Forum.

Farm Families co-ordinator, Christina Faulkner, said: “Farm Families Health Checks is very pleased to be a member of the Forum, and to be able to support its objectives through engagement opportunities like this.

“It was great to see so many call in and have this check completed. It’s so important that we know what our blood pressure reading is and get advice on the appropriate measures to take it if it is high. Small changes can make a difference, but it may also be necessary to have medical intervention so nurses were able to advise if any further follow-up was required.”

Dietitians from the Public Health Dietitians Group (PHDG) were on hand to talk about healthy eating, energy drinks, and eating well on a budget. Over 450 conversations were had with members of the public across the four days, and 93% reported that they were quite, or very likely, to consider making a healthy dietary change as a result.

With farmers often exposed to high levels of noise in their daily lives, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) offered important hearing advice with discussions around hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing checks, hearing aids and how to access support and services.

For sun safety matters, visitors to the stand were able to speak to a Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist from Macmillan about sun safety while working long hours outdoors.

The Farm Families team is looking forward to a busy summer at marts, agricultural shows and community events. If you would like to book the service please email farm.families6@northerntrust.hscni.net or contact 028 2563 5573.

The Farm Families Health Checks Programme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme and the Public Health Agency (PHA).

30th May 2023