South Island Dairy Conference Oamaru

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Rural Health & Wellness
March 20, 2017September 9, 2022
South Island Dairy Conference Oamaru

OVERVIEW:
The Carr Famiy Foundation ran its first Rural Health and Wellness programme at the South Island Dairy Conference  on the 8th and 9th
of June. This was an extremely successful two days and was highlighted by the overall data we received and the amount of farmers and reps that stopped in for a check up with our registered nurse. We were extremely grateful to have received support from the Chemist Warehouse who provided all our medical
supplies and equipment for the two days as well as Prolife Foods who kindly
donated the Mother Earth Musli Bars that were handed out after the check up.

KEY DATA /  STATISTICS FOUND:

  • 73 checks done in total
  • 29 Females
  • 44 Males
  • 13 were referred to a GP / Practice Nurse
  • 1 x High Blood Pressure, Cholesteral, Weight, Smoker, Family HX Hypertension, urgent RIV within 1 week
  • 6 smokers

NEXT EVENT:
Our official launch with the new Rural Health and Wellness van is the 6th of July at the Temuka Ewe Fair. The van is looking to be completed by the 27th of June.

Our Testimonials

Mike B

When I used the van, it was based at the trade fencing day that was being held at Mosgiel, as part of the Fencing Contractors Association NZ Conference. The night before, I had been for a walk up the hill behind the motel we were staying at. Partway up the steep Dunedin Street, I thought I was actually having a heart attack. I was reasonably fit but had recently had Covid and received a vaccine. The van did my blood pressure, which was the highest of the day. I cannot remember the numbers, but it was scary high. I was told I should get a full medical when I got back to the Manawatu. This resulted in being put on permanent blood pressure medication, with regular checks. A year or so later, I found out I had bilateral blood clots in my lungs, so I have had a bit of a journey to sort that out over the last year. If I hadn't had that short test at the Carr Foundation van, things might have been a whole lot worse. I believe these days, getting rural folk to have a simple test on a regular day out could end up saving lives.

Aaron G

I run a very diverse farm, and over the years I've had some mates affected with heart attacks and other stress-related health issues. You hear about high blood pressure being called a silent killer, and you sort of nod along, but you don't think much of it until it's someone you know. I was at an event and got invited to pop into the Health and Wellness Van for a check. Didn't think much of it, figured I'd be in and out in five minutes. Turns out my blood pressure was through the roof. Came as a real surprise, I felt fine. I'm on medication for it now and getting it checked regularly. If I'd had an aneurysm or stroke, I don't know how I'd have kept the farm running. It's not something you plan for. Glad I took the ten minutes to get checked.