Get your free health check at Henty

Attendees at this week’s Henty Machinery Field Days will be able to take advantage of free health checks and vaccinations courtesy of Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) and University of New South Wales (UNSW).

UNSW medical students will be joining MPHN at the Country Lifestyle Pavilion on all three days to offer free health checks and talk about career pathways in rural health.

MPHN will also be joined by Henty Medical centre, Glenrock Country Practice and Lockhart & Culcairn Medical Practice to deliver free influenza, Japanese encephalitis, and COVID-19 vaccines.

MPHN Clinical Programs and Emergency Response Manager Peta Anderson said the field days were a perfect opportunity for people from rural and remote areas to catch up on their vaccinations and chat about health.

“Staying on top of your mental and physical health is so important, especially if your family and business depend on you being there every day,” Ms Anderson said.

“Take a few moments while you’re at Henty to pop in to the MPHN stand to keep up to date with your vaccinations, have a quick health check, or just have a chat about any health concerns you might have, and we will help point you in the right direction.

“We’ll also have plenty of information about mental health services and the supports available in our region, including our free online suicide prevention training.”

MPHN will also be speaking with Bruce Rollins, third-generation farmer, about mental health at The Stump on Thursday 21 September from 11.30am.

In addition to providing health checks, UNSW medical students will be speaking about their experiences as they journey towards a career in rural medicine. The students will be speaking at the Country Lifestyle Pavilion on Tuesday 19 September at 9:40 am, Wednesday 20 September at 2:15 pm and Thursday 21 September at 10:10 am.

UNSW Associate Dean of Rural Health Professor Tara Mackenzie said the medical students were looking forward to visiting Henty.

“The students are excited to talk to everyone about heath career pathways and share their experiences,” Professor Mackenzie said. 

“If you are a high school student considering a career in rural health, or are interested in hearing more, please come and have a chat with us at the pavilion.”