9:19am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Mercury Reporter
MEDICAL experts arrived in Bridgwater in a bright, blue double decker bus to give out a dose of healthy living advice to workers in town.
Advisors from NHS Somerset and Sedgemoor District Council visited trading estates to offer a free health MOT - testing blood pressure, blood sugar and carbon monoxide levels in the lungs.
As well as information on quitting smoking, there was plenty of advice on healthy eating, keeping fit and physical exercise.
Advice on sensible drinking, mental health, and drugs was given, and Chlamydia test kits were handed out to people aged between 15 and 24.
Nicola Crocker, Somerset stop smoking specialist, said: “We had an amazing time. So many people came up and said how difficult it was to make an appointment to see their GP during the day.
“For most people, it means taking time off work or booking some holiday.
“The offer of a free check up on their health at a time to suit them proved extremely popular.”
Denis Kenny took advantage of the health MOT. He said: “I have found this very useful today. I don't get much time to go to the doctors but to be able to get checked out like this is a brilliant idea. I'd like to see the bus here every six months if it were possible.”
Altogether, 95 people went onto the bus for health checks over the two days. 14 had high blood pressure and six had high blood sugar levels.
The NHS early detection of health problems can make a huge difference to employees and employers.
Large businesses in Sedgemoor can book the NHS Somerset Health Bus for a free workplace check by phoning Nicola Crocker on 0844-5689840.
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