Canberra-based medical students from the Australian National University, with supervision from local GPs, will be offering free blood pressure screening at Twyford Hall in Merimbula tomorrow afternoon and will be keen to chat to locals about what it's like to live in a rural location.
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Nineteen students are visiting the Bega Valley for the entire week as part of a rural familiarity experience called Rural Week, which aims to give students a taste of what rural medical practice and living in the country is like.
"In the past, our blood pressure screening activity has been a great success and has helped detect cases of hypertension," said Dr Erika Jaensch, academic co-ordinator of the Bega Rural Clinical School.
"We're grateful to Merimbula Rotary who is working with us to help deliver this free service, in partnership with Dr Kate Reid and Dr Yin Lee, both from the Sapphire Clinic.
"The students enjoy the hands-on aspect of practising a medical skill, so please come along, say hello and take the time to have your blood pressure checked," added Dr Jaensch.
Community blood pressure screening is just one of many experiences the students will take back to Canberra with them.
As well as formal clinical teaching sessions with local doctors at the South East Regional Hospital, the students will also spend time with medical and allied health practitioners around Bega.
In addition, the Rural Week program includes home-based dinners with community hosts, a formal dinner where the Bega Cheese Scholarship will be announced, cultural awareness training with Twofold Aboriginal Corporation at Jigamy, a visit to Bega's Hillgrove House and a surf lesson at Tathra.
Free blood pressure screening will take place at Twyford Hall on Thursday, March 28, from 2pm to 4.15pm.
