Emma Pritchard

It’s on the road and heading to the Clarence Valley.

And by visiting it for 10 minutes, it could save your life.

The Men’s Health and Education Rural Van (MHERV) has been touring the state since 2017 and has assisted more than 13000 patients wherever the van has pulled up.

Operated by the Rotary Club of Warner’s Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and community organisations, and supported by the Royal Freemason’s Benevolent Institution which provides funding to employ a registered nurse, MHERV aims to encourage men (and women) to be proactive with their health.

Offering free check-ups in a relaxed, confidential, and informal setting, including blood pressure readings, cholesterol, and blood sugar level tests, MHERV screenings have saved countless lives and improved health outcomes for many Australians.

All health concerns are discussed in the privacy of the consulting rooms within the van, and MHERV Operations Manager Susanne Thompon is encouraging Clarence Valley residents to take advantage of its tour throughout the region later this month.

“MHERV offers men, and women, the opportunity to have their health checked if they have not seen their GP for a while or they cannot get an appointment,” she said.

“It’s such an important service.

“In one of the towns MHERV visited last year, there was a gentleman who was identified as having a health risk during his visit, and he was advised to go to hospital.

“He came back to MHERV this year and said ‘thank you’ to us and told us how his health had improved.

“We’ve had a lot of cases like that where people come back and thank us for the work we do, because we are helping to save lives.”

Originally established as a service for men, Ms Thompson said women are also welcome to visit MHERV for a health check-up.

“Between 30 and 35 percent of people who visit the van are women,” she explained.

“Often, women walking along with their husbands or partners will tell their loved one to get checked, and they will often say ‘I’ll get a check-up if you will’, and it encourages men to do so.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to visit the van while it’s in their local area and have their health checked.

“It could save their life.”

MHERV will be at the following locations throughout the Clarence Valley:

• Grafton, October 19 and 20, 9:30am – 3:30pm both days at Bunnings in Lolanthe Street.
• Maclean, October 21-23, 9:30am – 3:30pm daily at the carpark at 38 River Street.
• Yamba, October 24 and 2, 9:30am – 3:30pm both days at the Yamba Bowling Club carpark, 44 Wooli Street.