Get Set Goal’s Headingley health checks get Dickie Bird’s seal of approval

Healthcare students from the University of Huddersfield have helped cricket fans at Headingley identify potentially serious health issues, as well as meeting Yorkshire legend Dickie Bird.

The students offered a one-to-one health check that included blood pressure, oxygen saturation and pulse checks to help raise awareness of stroke and heart attack to spectators at a recent Yorkshire T20 Blast game as part of ‘Get Set Goal ’, a wellbeing service from the University’s Health and Wellbeing Academy.

Dickie, the 91-year-old former umpire and University of Huddersfield honorary doctorate holder, popped in to say hello to students and staff, and as fit as ever thanks to a regular exercise regime, he gave Get Set Goal the seal of approval.

Get Set Goal is part of the ‘Find Out Who You Really Are ’ initiative, instigated by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which is working with several local and national organisations including Diabetes UK, Stroke Association and Pumping Marvellous as well as Get Set Goal.

The visit to Yorkshire’s cricket HQ was the latest in a string of visits to events around the county by the Get Set Goal team. They have also offered health checks at rugby league fixtures including Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls and Halifax Panthers, and will be at the Honley Show on 29 June.

Cricket fans stopped by for the screening sessions outside the East Stand to have simple tests that could spot signs of strokes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Advice was offered on what kind of changes can be made for a healthier lifestyle, and in some cases those tested were given details on health issues to raise with a GP or pharmacist.

Remi, an Occupational Therapy student on the 2nd year of his course, said, “It was a really good day and a lot of people stopped by for health checks, which initiated some very positive conversations with people about their own health and what steps they can take.”

Rob Webster CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and CEO Lead for the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said: "Our 'Find Out How You Really Are' campaign is a great example of teamwork aimed at improving people's lives. I'm thrilled to see rugby league clubs across West Yorkshire and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club supporting this effort by hosting the Get Set Goal team and encouraging fans to get health checks. 

“It's crucial to bring our initiatives to the communities where people live, and this is a fantastic example of how effective that can be. Partnering with universities like Huddersfield, where students are gaining hands-on experience supporting people, benefits everyone. This collaboration has the potential to change lives and attract more people to the health and care workforce."