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.

A recent recruit to the RSABI Health Hut team, Dr MacLarty lives on a small farm in the Black Isle and has been helping the charity with the initiative at agricultural shows during the summer. Next week she will start a monthly Health Hut at Dingwall Mart, supported by RSABI staff.

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With 18 years’ experience as a qualified general practitioner, Dr MacLarty has been a GP and occupational health doctor in the Inverness and Dingwall area since 2007. 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,” 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.”

“I'm excited to be part of this initiative that is truly making a difference and I am looking forward to promoting better health and wellbeing in the farming community.”

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 including 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 to all our Health Hut team for their enthusiasm to help us improve physical and mental wellbeing in the farming community.”

Managing director of Dingwall and Highland Marts, Grant Macpherson, said: “The Dingwall Mart team are really looking forward to welcoming the RSABI Health Hut team to the mart next week and to 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.”

RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.