Healthcare on wheels

Time for a check up – 11 people discovered they needed to see a doctor after a check up in the Carrfields rural health van.

40 patients went through the van during its recent stop at Ashburton’s Chemist Warehouse.

Of the patients, 19 were found to have high blood pressure and 11 were referred to a doctor.

“We’ve had a few events where a medical event has happened, and it was just lucky that we were there,” Carr family foundation chairperson Stacey McKerchar said.

The van was set up in 2022 as a way to bring healthcare to rural communities.

“Farmers don’t come to town often. And when they do come to town, they want to be able to get an appointment then and there.”

The foundation is the philanthropic branch of agri-tech company Carrfields.

“As a business, we’re out in the rural community a lot.

“Quite often, staff would come back and say they were concerned about someone.

“That’s why we thought there was a need for it.”

The van is set up with medical supplies and a nurse comes out to run checks on blood pressure, cholesterol and more.

“They also have a general chat around health and wellness, and mental health as well.”

McKerchar said the van hit over 400 total health checks last year, and aims to reach 600 this year.

Chemist Warehouse south island regional manager Michelle Zhu said services like the rural health van were important for accessibility.

“We understand how hard it is for rural communities to get access to healthcare services.”

Hosting the van outside their store meant people could come for a check up, and pop in to visit their store.

“A lot of people don’t know about us being a pharmacy,” she said.

“The message is that we are here for the community.”

Chemist Warehouse will be looking to collaborate with the rural health van again in the future.

One of the Carrfields’ members hangs around the van to chat with people when it’s on duty.

“Having our own staff at the vents, definitely family, I mean Craig Wiggins is a well known rural advocate around the country.”

“Having someone like him, he’s approachable, means people aren’t afraid to come in.”

McKerchar said the van was aimed at rural people, but anyone could come in for a check up.

By Anisha Satya