As I proceeded in a westerly direction on leaving the museum this afternoon I was hindered in my perambulation by a man with a van. It transpired and came about that he was offering a 'FREE' 'Health Check.' Now normally in such circumstances I would call a constable however I quickly realised that this was an authorised NHS service. The idea is of course prevention rather than cure, a worthy plan and one most people agree with, and then ignore! I had considered visiting the doc to get such basic tests to ensure long life and happiness but they are too busy these days, in fact my doc has closed the door or newcomers and will only deal with those suffering a disease of some sort, idiocy doesn't count. So I took advantage of this free check up which was all conducted by digital machinery!
Everything was done by use of a wee hand held computer. This calculated all the measurements he obtained including cholesterol, obtained by a pinprick on the finger, then the trained, but not professional nursing, staff were efficient. A male dealt with me, a female for the other lot. Nothing you wished to keep secret was exposed or discussed, that is for the GP, no stethoscopes were hurt in the making of this diagnosis.
My weight, height, waist, cholesterol, Blood Pressure like were tested and he pronounced me to be alive, much to my shock, in fact the results were much better than I thought. By referring to a series of colour coded charts he pronounced me FAT SLOB! This led to advice I already know on eating, exercise and not eating cheese. This last I objected to because I must eat cheese or I die I told him. It appears many men make the same objection but that is one thing that must decrease. Bah! 'Porage' rules now.
I was impressed by this mobile health check idea, it reminded me of the mobile X-Ray vans that toured factories in the 50's and 60's. A very good way to encourage good health. Naturally a lot of people would not take advantage of this as they are afraid they will discover some illness, or indeed that they require urgent weight control. The refusal appears somewhat sad to me but I was the ninth today to undergo this quick procedure. Many things in the NHS require change, and NOT by privatisation through the back door Mr Cameron! The idea of a wee van stopping folks in the street and offering a free check for simple procedures can only be good.
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