A unique partnership between the National Centre for Farmer Health, Queensland Rural Medical Education and Medicare Local – Darling Downs South West Queensland have initiated a novel program where they are giving free health checks to campdrafters, bull and bronco riders and rodeo enthusiasts at the Warwick Showground’s during the October 2013 Rodeo.
The team is encouraging all attendees to ‘Buck and draft out bad health’ with visits to our marquee. If you are connected with the campdraft and rodeo, we are there to help you. When heart rates start going up as chutes are opened, there might be more to it than just the excitement of the day.
The role of the team is to better educate those in the agricultural industry that being mentally and physically up to the task is as vital to their business as their success in the ring. It’s a busy time of the year for attendees and what a great way to start – with a check up!
There will be a team of health professionals and medical students from Griffith University at the Rodeo from Wednesday through until Friday to provide health checks and the opportunity for individual health assessments.
Scott Kitchener, Medical Director QRME, says the health checks will only take 5 – 10 minutes. That’s quicker than getting a cup of coffee and will cover all the key indicators of health – good or bad, he says. “That’s cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure and wellbeing. If there is trouble or even the slightest warning we will find it, and on site we will be able to refer you to a senior medical practitioner”
This unique team has an emphasis on preventative health and identifying strategies to agricultural workers to operate at full capacity and still be healthy and safe. The team who first formed to deliver health assessments at FarmFest 2012 is looking forward to catching up with you at Warwick.
Further information:
Cate Mercer-Grant, Acting Director – National Centre for Farmer Health
T: (03) 55518508
Scott Kitchener, Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer – Queensland Rural Medical Education
T: 07 46387999