A new health hub in Wheddon Cross, Somerset, is assisting farmers in diagnosing conditions that might otherwise be missed. The Exmoor Rural Health Hub operates twice a month next to Cutcombe Market, providing quick access to healthcare without needing a GP visit.
On its first day, the hub treated 25 individuals, with three requiring urgent hospital transfers due to previously undiagnosed conditions, according to April Bosley, lead nurse at the hub. Farmers can receive checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, and various cancers. The hub also takes photographs of skin lesions for GP review and offers mental health conversations, signposting to relevant agencies.
Cattle and sheep farmer Andy Pugsley, who experienced a stroke last year, noted that farmers often prioritise their livestock over their own health and find it difficult to see a doctor. He expressed a preference for the hub as a faster alternative to a GP. David Powell, an ex-farm manager, also found the hub's services, such as blood pressure and sugar level checks, much easier to access than traditional doctor appointments.
The hub is a purpose-built surgery run by NHS nurses and physios, located next to Exmoor's Farmers Livestock Market. It is one of three such facilities in Somerset, funded by donations, private trust grants, and the Somerset Community Foundation.