Farmers and livestock handlers have been welcoming a rural health hub over at the Frome livestock market at Standerwick.

Farmer's wife Lottie Cruse is a district nurse team lead at the Frome Rural Health Hub and says she knows that farmers will often find a vet for their animals far before visiting the GP for their own health.

The Rural Health Hub is on every fortnight.

Lottie said: " "My farming background has been really helpful when I am working at the health hub, as I am able to relate to the farmers and understand the pressures that come with their unique lifestyle. Beginning discussion on topics they are comfortable talking about, such as cows and other livestock, allows patients to feel comfortable to open up about their health concerns, and I can then direct them to the appropriate services.

"We provide routine observations such a blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and prostate screening. I can also talk to them about leading a healthy lifestyle with weight and alcohol."

As well as health check-ups, there is also a mental health practitioner from the Talking Therapies service.

Research has suggested that farmers are at higher risk of mental illness and suicide, with one survey from the leading agricultural paper indicating that most believe that mental ill-health is the biggest problem in agriculture. . 64% of farmers surveyed by Farmer's Weekly were positive about their physical health but only 55% of farmers felt positive about their mental health.

You can read the full update on the Rural Hub HERE

The idea for Rural Health Hubs originated in 2017 when Catherine Hawk, who runs the auction centre at Junction 24 in Bridgwater, approached the then Somerset Partnership. Catherine shared that her late father, Derek Mead, wanted a health hub at the Junction to support his close colleagues and friends who had various health issues.

Derek was fatally injured in a farming accident, but Catherine wanted to carry on her father's wish, so made a link with the Lions Club in Western-Super-Mare and other country markets to see if they could raise enough money to start a clinic. The first clinic was opened 4 April 2018.