Exmoor health clinic launched to support farmers

A new health clinic has opened on Exmoor, right on the doorstep of a cattle market, with the aim of encouraging farmers to seek medical advice they might otherwise avoid. The hub, at Wheddon Cross, is designed to be discreet, allowing farmers to enter and leave without drawing attention to themselves. One organiser said: "It started off with people sort of a bit shy to go in and we designed this so that the farmer could come in this end and walk out the other end without people saying that he was going in for some treatment."

The clinic has already shown its value. In its early days, staff saw 25 people and referred three to Musgrove Park Hospital urgently because of problems with their aorta. It is funded by local people, including money left in wills. Farmers who spoke to the BBC said they were glad it is there. One said: "The thing is you're that busy that you just let it go or it can't be bought. Whereas if you come into the market you can come in here. It takes a few minutes." Another added: "I think it's a very good idea because I don't think a lot of us old farmers well you go and see the doctors you've got a hell of a job to see a doctor nowadays."

The need for such a service is highlighted by the experience of Andy, a farmer on the Somerset Devon border who is still recovering from a stroke believed to have been triggered by a kick to his leg from a cow. He said: "You know it's nothing new but it's just unfortunate that it happened to end up in the clock travelling around and ended up with me getting a stroke. When I turned in the drive and saw the air ambulance already parked in the field on the drive I was reassured that at least help was on hand." He admitted that farmers, particularly men, often neglect their own health: "Particularly men I think they're terrible. Literally do not go to the doctor unless they're pushed or nagged by their wives probably." He added: "We realise how lucky we were and that perhaps other people should you know take a good look at their own health."

The clinic is seen as a way to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and to reach a community that often puts stock before self. As one organiser put it: "Stock farmers put their stock before themselves. A lot of farmers I think are a little bit afraid of the unknown. They sort of think well I think this might be a problem with me but if I go then I know it's a problem with me." Andy called the new health hub a fantastic idea and urged other farmers to get themselves checked out.