Healthy extra proves popular

Phil  Herriot, of Dunedin, has a health check carried out by Southern PHO nurse Penelope Jaggar,...
Phil Herriot, of Dunedin, has a health check carried out by Southern PHO nurse Penelope Jaggar, of Dunedin, at the Brass Monkey Rally on Saturday. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Almost 100 riders lined up to get their own ''warrant of fitness'' at the Brass Monkey rally.

The Southern Primary Health Organisation (SPHO) offered free health checks to rally-goers on Saturday and 99 took advantage of the offer, SPHO primary health services manager Kaylene Holland said.

The riders had their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels checked and the results and potential risk factors were discussed with each person, she said.

Twelve people who were deemed to be in need of a full medical check-up received vouchers for a free visit to a doctor.

''Of that number, there were two who the doctor who was part of our team thought were likely to be undiagnosed diabetics.''

The rally was a good way to check the health of a group of people, men in particular, who might not see their own doctor very often, she said.

''These health checks are the ambulance at the top of the cliff, helping men to think about what they need to change, if necessary, to keep themselves well, into the future.''

It was the third time the checks had been carried out at the rally and it proved worthwhile, so the exercise would be repeated next year. 

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