A Highlands doctor is combining her passion for farming and health by playing a key role in the growth of an exciting Health Hut initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of people in Scotland’s agricultural community.
The Health Hut initiative brings health and wellbeing expertise to markets and other events in the farming community at a time and place convenient to them, in an environment where they feel comfortable.
Dr Louise MacLarty is working with RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture, on the initiative as it is rolled out to auction markets around the country.
She has been helping RSABI with Health Huts at agricultural shows during the summer and will attend the first ever Health Hut at Dingwall Mart on August 29th.
Dr MacLarty, who has more than 20 years’ experience as a GP and is now specialising in Occupational Health, is very much looking forward to meeting farmers this week.
Through the Health Hut initiative, RSABI hopes to encourage farmers, and others in Scottish agriculture, to think about how they can improve their health and provide them with an opportunity to discuss any mental or physical health concerns they might have.
Since August last year Health Huts have been held at many of the main sales at ANM’s Thainstone Centre and in recent months the initiative has been rolled out to auction marts including United Auctions markets in Stirling and Lochboisdale and Caithness Mart last week.
The Health Huts have also appeared at Lawrie & Symington’s mart at Lanark and more venues are planned for the coming weeks include United Auctions’ Dalmally Mart.
Welcoming Louise to the vibrant Health Hut team of health professionals, Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive, said: “Louise’s extensive experience and dedication to both the farming community and healthcare make her an invaluable addition to our team of Health Hut professionals. We are grateful for her support in our efforts to bring essential health and wellbeing support directly to farmers, in spaces where they feel at ease. We are thrilled to have her on board as we extend our reach to Dingwall Mart and beyond, encouraging more farmers to take action towards improving their health and wellbeing.
Grant Macpherson, Managing Director of Dingwall and Highland Marts, said: “The Dingwall Mart team are really looking forward to welcoming the RSABI Health Hut team to the mart and we hope this is the start of the Health Huts making a regular appearance here.
“Dingwall Mart is very much at the heart of the local farming community and we are very pleased to be able to offer this RSABI service to our customers.”
Louise, whose family farm not far from Dingwall, said she is very much looking forward to working with RSABI on the Health Hut initiative which she feels offers a huge opportunity to make a very substantial contribution to the wellbeing of farming families around the country. “Farmers give so much to their communities but unfortunately, they don’t tend to take the best care of themselves – the farm takes priority.”
The benefits the Health Hut brings are huge, said Louise: “With long and demanding working hours, too often farmers own health takes a back seat so the Health Hut provides a hugely valuable and convenient opportunity for them to focus on their wellbeing and speak about any concerns they may have. More than just physical health, the huts also address mental health, stress, and the unique challenges faced by those in the farming community. I’m excited to be part of this initiative that is truly making a difference.”
Caption: Dr Louise MacLarty is pictured with Aimie Bisset FIA Scot, Junior Auctioneer at Dingwall Mart.