The Exmoor Rural Health Hub (ERHH) is a CIO charity (no 1193697) registered with Charity Commission on 04/03/2021.
The charity was set up in partnership with the NHS who were concerned to get health provision to the ‘hard to reach’ rural, farming community living on and around Exmoor. Its mission is to offer physical and mental well-being screening on-site at the local farming livestock market at Wheddon Cross. Clinics run bi-monthly alternating between sheep and cattle sales to maximise access for farmers and others having business at the market on sale days.
The ERHH facilitates the ‘drop-in’ health screening clinics at an on-site portacabin adjacent to the livestock market itself. The clinics are staffed by NHS nurses and mental well-being practitioners and the ICB (Integrated Care Board) voted to make funding on-going and permanent in November 2023.
- Atrial Fibrillation screening (Non-invasive gadget that is placed on the top of leg above your knee or ankle)
- Blood Glucose level (Finger lancet test, using a small droplet of blood), This measures your blood glucose (sugar) in your blood
- Blood Cholesterol level (Finger lancet test, using a small droplet of blood)
- Blood pressure pulse/ Oximeter
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) (Non-invasive, measure weight and height)
- Dermatology Screening (Non-invasive, questionnaire and a photograph of skin issue) Photographs will be sent to the specialist NHS dermatology department for analysis.
- Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Assessment: an informal, non-judgmental and friendly chat about emotional and mental wellbeing. This might cover potential concerns around stress, anxiety, low mood, sleep, alcohol and/or substance use, trauma, eating/body image and or bereavement.
- In addition to the above, on market days when the nurses are not running clinics, the ERHH funds the provision of a ‘free to patient’ monthly Chiropody clinic.
- Signposting: Based on need, information and self-help guides to take away can be offered, or signposting to other farming and non-farming related support services and charities within the wider community. Or, if appropriate, referral to the GP and/or other mental health services to share information about what has been discussed.
For more information about the Exmoor Rural Health Hub and for future clinic dates, please visit our website: www.erhh.co.uk.
The Exmoor Rural Health Hub is open to ALL members of the Exmoor rural community. No appointments are necessary, just call in for an informal chat with one of our nurses/healthcare practitioners, all of whom come from farming backgrounds.