Farming voices matter: How Central Dales GP Practice is acting on local feedback

This year, Healthwatch North Yorkshire published Ploughing Through Barriers, a report on the challenges faced by North Yorkshire’s farming communities. Many said it’s difficult to make appointments, travel to services or open up about their mental health.

The report gathered feedback from over 100 people locally, including farmers, their families, and rural healthcare professionals. Read the full report here.

We’re seen the difference local voices can make. Central Dales GP Practice, who cover Aysgarth and Hawes, has responded thoroughly and thoughtfully with what they are doing. Here's how they’re improving care for their farming patients.

What’s changed - and why it matters 

The practice has shown it understands the farming way of life and the pressures that come with it. They’ve looked at how they provide care and made changes to better support farmers and their families.

Here’s how they’ve responded:

Making appointments work for farming life

• Farmers can call in, walk in or be fitted in at short notice when something urgent comes up.
• They offer a 24/7 online form called an e-consultation, which lets people ask for advice or support at any time. The practice replies within two working days.
• Appointments are also available in the evenings and at weekends at their Aysgarth surgery, making it easier for people who work long or unpredictable hours.

Reducing time off and financial stress

• Staff aim to do as much as possible in one visit, saving patients from returning multiple times.
• When referring to hospital or specialist care (secondary care), the practice highlights that a patient is a farmer so this can be taken into account.

Tackling rural barriers to healthcare

Support closer to home

• Patients can choose between Hawes and Aysgarth GP practices.
• In-practice blood tests save hours of travel to hospital.
• Most farmers receive free medication deliveries. Over 1,000 prescriptions have been delivered since 2016.
• Prescriptions can be ordered in several ways: online, by email, by phone or by dropping off a request form. Whatever works best for the individual.

Mental and long-term health support

• The practice has a mental health specialist based on-site, who supports people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief or other emotional difficulties.
• They also have an advanced clinical practitioner,  highly trained healthcare professional, who visits people at home, especially those living with long-term health conditions or frailty. They help patients access support, equipment, and services to stay well and independent.

Understanding the farming mindset

The team includes staff from farming and gamekeeping backgrounds, giving them real understanding of the difficulties.

They’re also addressing specific concerns farmers told us about:

• Gun licence worries when seeking mental health help
• Fear of judgement or gossip in small communities
• Trusting vets over GPs

Central Dales is taking these concerns seriously. They offer private, flexible ways to get support, including online forms where people can ask to be contacted by phone, text or email. This means people can get help without anyone else knowing.

They also work closely with local vets, who now help encourage farmers to contact the GP practice when needed. If a vet has a concern, they can even get in touch with the practice directly, and staff will reach out to the patient.

Staying connected with the community

Central Dales knows that healthcare isn’t just about appointments, it’s about being part of the local community and making sure people feel supported and informed. Here’s what they’re doing:

• Their website and Facebook page are updated regularly with useful information.
• They keep the messaging feature on Facebook open so patients can ask questions informally.
• They have a patient participation group, local people who meet regularly to share ideas and feedback. Every parish council covered by the practice has someone involved.
• The minutes from patient group meetings are shared online and with all the parish councils.
• Their reception staff are trained to help guide patients to the right support, including physiotherapists, mental health workers, and out-of-hours services.

Bringing healthcare and support to where farmers are

The practice visited Hawes Auction Mart, which is a a familiar and convenient setting for many farmers. They didn’t just talk. They took action:

• Blood pressure checks were offered on-site.
• Medical questions were answered, and appointments were booked there and then.
• Support organisations like the Farming Community Network, The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, and a physiotherapist were all present.
• Farmers received information about how to get help, including around mental health and concerns about gun licences.

Farmers left with answers, booked appointments, and clear contact information.

Based on strong local feedback, Central Dales plans to run monthly health sessions at the auction mart (subject to funding) later in 2025.

Looking ahead: what they’d like to do next

The practice has also suggested ideas that could make a big difference, including:

• Weekly health drop-ins at the surgery for farmers and gamekeepers, offering checks like an electrocardiogram (heart monitoring), blood tests, and general health reviews.
• Leaflets and campaigns to help farmers know when to seek help, how to access services, and why looking after their health matters. These are sent by post, not just on social media.
• Information packs available at local vets, so farmers visiting the vet can pick up advice and be guided towards the right health service if needed.

They also said they’d back wider campaigns to reduce the stigma of asking for help, and to remind farmers that caring for their own health helps them care better for their animals too.

Why this matters

These changes are happening because people spoke up. Central Dales GP Practice listened and acted. Healthwatch brought those voices directly to the people who needed to hear them.

This is what Healthwatch is here for: making sure your voice helps shape better care.

If you live in a rural area or farming community and want to share your experience of health or care services, we’re here to listen. Your feedback helps make services better, not just for you, but for everyone.