Mandurah residents will have access to free health screenings and information from nursing students and supervisors when the Murdoch University Mobile Health Clinic rolls into town next week.
Visiting the Mandurah Seniors and Community Centre on August 26, services available will include blood pressure checks, type 2 diabetes risk assessment, cholesterol checks, weight checks and mental wellbeing assessments.
The nursing students will also provide health education to visitors.
Students are provided real opportunities to put into practice health promotion and behaviour change strategies to empower individuals and communities in their health.
- Nursing lecturer Michelle Buchanan
Nursing lecturer Michelle Buchanan said the clinics provided a valuable service to the community while building the experience of nursing undergraduates.
"Through health education the service aims to promote and achieve optimal health within the community ultimately assisting in minimising the burden on hospital based care and resources," she said.
"This form of primary health care provides students with a diverse range of clients, experiencing a variety of health related issues, with students learning to work efficiently and developing therapeutic relationships in order to provide holistic patient care. It is an invaluable experience for them.
"Students are provided real opportunities to put into practice health promotion and behaviour change strategies to empower individuals and communities in their health."
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Those who attend will receive the free health screening from a nursing student working under the supervision of an experienced registered nurse.
The screening takes around 15 minutes with referrals to be provided for any assessments found to be outside the normal healthy range.
The Murdoch University Mobile Health Clinic will be visiting the Mandurah Seniors and Community Centre on Monday, August 26 from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
The clinic will continue to provide free health checks to community members at various locations through the Perth and Peel regions once a month.
For more information, call 9360 2669.