Clinic service: Men who attend a popular Cork barber shop will be able to avail of a health check along with their short back and sides as part of a new service organised by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Southern Area.
The HSE has organised a series of free health clinics in The Baldy Barber shop in Blackpool on the north side of the city in mid-September.
The decision to set up the health service was prompted by a visit to Cork last week by nurse Jane DeVille Almond who runs regular Big Boys' Clinics in barber shops throughout Britain.
The independent nurse consultant was fed up with waiting for men to attend her surgery when she was a British National Health Service nurse, so in 2001 she decided to go out to them.
A barber's shop next to a motorcycle dealership was her first venture and was an ideal location.
Ms DeVille Almond, who is vice-chairwoman of the Men's Health Forum in the UK, has since set up clinics in pubs, clubs and betting offices all around Britain.
The success of the UK programme inspired the health service in Cork to set up a similar service.
Community health worker with the HSE in the south, Bernard Twomey, said customers at the barbers would be asked if they would like a health check.
They will then be invited in to a back room to ensure confidentiality. Men can come along to the clinics to discuss any health concerns they might have, to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked and to get advice about diet and drinking habits.
Advice will also cover such topics as diabetes, cardiovascular health, prostate cancer and general health conditions.
Mr Twomey said if there was sufficient interest in the service, the HSE would organise similar clinics around Cork city.
"We are looking at creative ways to engage with men and men's health. This clinic will create an interest and awareness around men and around factors that impact on their health. We will evaluate the clinic and, if there is sufficient interest, we will do clinics in pubs and sports clubs.
"We will make this fun but it is important to get the health messages across," Mr Twomey said.
A health quiz will be organised at a venue in the city next month to coincide with the clinics.
The clinics will take place at Mick Moriarty's The Baldy Barber from September 12th to 16th, from 10.30am to 1pm.