{mosimage}The Rotary Clubs of the western area of district 9670 are combining with the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) to assist MERV and it’s nurse unit manager, Andrew Whale from Mudgee, to our region to provide the community with specialised men’s health assistance.

This is a mobile health check-up and information service that travels to workplaces and community sites. Men have their blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels checked followed by a discussion with a community nurse about men’s health issues. The men are provided with information about heart disease, alcohol consumption, smoking, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, sexual health, testicular self examination, healthy eating, exercise and mental health.

Over 20,000 men have visited MERV at workplaces and community events in the Central west of NSW and this is the first time the van has ventured out west. Around 50% of men who visit MERV are aged between 41 and 60. And more than a third of the visitors had not seen a doctor within the past twelve months.

Feedback from men who accessed the van indicated
83% of men accessing MERV for the second time had followed most of the recommendations given at the first visit
98% found the program worthwhile and effective in raising men’s health awareness
97% would visit the van if it returned to their workplace or community.

This innovation won the National HESTA Australian Nursing Award for innovative nursing and the concept received a $10,000 boost to continue its program. There were 700 nominations for this award and Mr. Whale sees this award as a real boost to men’s health.

MERV will be in Narromine on Tuesday 28 September 2010 in the lay-by behind the cenotaph on the corner of Dandaloo and Burroway Streets and Rotarians will be expecting several men to visit his caravan for this free service. MERV will be towed by Past District Governor Tony Mackenzie from Newcastle and he  will also be a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Narromine on the same Tuesday night. 

Men of Narromine and district, please diarise the date now and come along and take advantage of this important service for your sake and the sake of your family.

Rotary    {mosimage}     Supporting health in our community

 

Post Report to the 2008 MERV visit.

Another Rotary success story. 26 men visited the site giving Narromine the best result on this trip based on a per capita basis. Community nurse Andrew Whale was thrilled with Narromine's response as he was kept busy all day. He spent about 15 minutes with each man so the maximum he can attend to comfortably is 24 for the six hour stay.

Rotary will try to have MERV return as soon as possible and twelve months time would be great. However strong lobbying will be required to GWAHS to enable this to occur and funding will be the big hurdle. Obviously a need is there given the response received throughout the west. Further data will be added to this site following Andrew's summary to the Rotary Clubs.

 

The van covered 1206ks over a nine day period and visited 8 towns. 197 men took advantage of the van and Andrew's services and the main concerns were heart disease, diabetes screening and prostate cancer. 100 Bowelscan kits were handed out FREE on the tour.

 

Feed back from the men included "Why is Rotary behind this initiative? Shouldn't health and government agencies be doing this?" "When are you coming back?"

 

Rotary District 9670 will start soon to lobby for MERV to return to the far/central west for another worthwhile visit in 2010. We have established a need for the service so lets hope we can porvide it.