Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, which have little or no apparent symptoms, can build up and lead to sudden unexpected death or long term incapacity.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you get checked for those conditions without having to make an appointment to see a doctor?

Well, now you can, the Men's Health Education Rotary Van, or mherv as it is known, was created for this exact purpose.

The custom built caravan has a dedicated Registered Nurse and travels around New South Wales offering free health screenings to regional and rural men, who are notorious for being entirely in the dark about the state of their health.

When mherv comes to your town, men can just show up at the van and spend five to ten minutes with registered nurse, Rob Woolley, for a quick and painless assessment.

Rob Woolley and mherv were in Kempsey on March 13 and 14, his next stop will be the Nambucca Plaza carpark on March 17 and 18.

Although Rob's operating times are 10am to 4pm, he is available outside those hours if you book an appointment.

The tests involve a quick prick to the finger, and within minutes you will know your blood sugar and cholesterol levels; and while his machine is working, he will take your blood pressure and even spin you a yarn or two.

He has tested over 7000 people since this Rotary project was launched.

Rob is well known for cutting away the medical jargon and speaking in a language everyone can understand.

It is not being dramatic to say that this is ten minutes that could save your life.

Rob will recommend what your next step should be before you part ways; you can take your results away with you and present them to your doctor if you wish.

The van is labelled 'men's health', but ladies are encouraged to come along as well.

Get down and see Rob and mherv; you will be glad you did.

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