The initiative, run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, operates monthly at one of the UK’s busiest truck stops. Sessions provide blood pressure checks, cholesterol and blood-sugar testing, weight monitoring, lifestyle advice and referrals — all without an appointment. The setup is designed to fit into drivers’ rest breaks and irregular schedules.
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INFO-BOX: Health hub for HGV drivers — key details
| Category | Information |
| Location | Truckstop@J24, Huntworth Business Park, M5 Junction 24, North Petherton, Somerset (UK) |
| Opening times | Third Thursday of each month, 5:00pm – 8:30pm |
| Services offered | Blood pressure checks; blood sugar/diabetes screening; cholesterol tests; weight and BMI monitoring; lifestyle advice; GP referrals |
| Cost | Free of charge |
| Operator | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust |
| Who can use it | All HGV and PSV drivers, including international drivers; no appointment needed |
| Typical visit time | 10–15 minutes |
| Purpose | Designed to support drivers who struggle to access routine GP care due to long hours and unpredictable schedules |
According to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, several drivers who visited the hub were found to have underlying health conditions they had not previously identified. Long, irregular shifts and the difficulty of booking GP appointments mean many drivers go years without routine medical monitoring. The concept builds on earlier “market health hubs” designed for farming communities but repurposed for highly mobile workforces such as lorry drivers.
Although aimed directly at drivers, the initiative has wider implications for the industry. Untreated conditions, unmanaged diabetes and high blood pressure can increase accident risk, trigger sudden medical episodes on the road, and lead to sickness absence and rising insurance costs for operators. Industry evidence already links poor driver health to roadside emergencies, near-miss incidents and temporary suspensions from driving due to medical concerns.
UK employers have a legal duty to manage risks related to fatigue and medical issues that could impair a driver’s ability to operate an HGV safely. This includes encouraging health monitoring, providing guidance on rest and signposting drivers to accessible healthcare. In practice, however, many companies struggle to offer meaningful support because of operational pressures and tight schedules.
The Truckstop@J24 health hub offers a practical model: healthcare delivered directly at a site drivers use daily. If replicated across the motorway network, similar hubs could help operators reduce unplanned absences, improve compliance with medical-fitness rules and support fleet safety.
