Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the Ploughing Championship in Offaly this week and the HSE will be there to offer advice and support on a range of health issues.

HSELive, which is the HSE's public information service, will be there to tell people what health services they qualify for, how to access various services and where to find further information about any health issues they may have.

For example, HSELive can provide information on how to apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme, how to apply for the European Health Insurance Card, and how to get married in Ireland.

Advice and information about the HSE's various campaigns is also available, such as quitting smoking (www.quit.ie) and dementia (www.understandtogether.ie).

The HSE is also highlighting type 2 diabetes at the championship and a registered dietitian will be present throughout to answer questions about the condition.

An estimated 225,000 people have diabetes in Ireland and the number is increasing. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to a number of health problems, such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and eye-related problems.

"The HSE is at the Ploughing Championships this year to help attendees learn more about the support available across Ireland for people with type 2 diabetes, and to help them book a place on a free diabetes support course near them. A community dietitian will be available each day to answer any questions you may have and to support you to learn more about what you can do to prevent and treat diabetes," commented HSE national clinical specialist dietitian, Dr Karen Harrington.

The HSE will also be focusing on skin cancer during the championships, as farmers face an increased risk of this disease due to working mainly outdoors.

According to the Irish Cancer Society, one-quarter of all deaths from skin cancer in Ireland are among those working in the construction or agriculture industries.

"Despite being the most common cancer in Ireland, skin cancer can be prevented. The key skin cancer prevention message for Irish people who have a fair complexion and are prone to sunburn is to follow the Irish Cancer Society's ‘SunSmart Code', which is to seek shade between 11am and 3pm, cover up using long sleeve clothing, sunglasses and a wide brim hat, and use a high factor sunscreen with SPF 30 or 50," explained Selene Daly, a dermatology nurse specialist in Sligo University Hospital.

Meanwhile, registration for both BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen will also be available at the championship. BowelScreen is the national bowel screening programme aimed at men and women aged 60-69. Diabetic RetinaScreen is the national diabetic retinal screening programme, aimed at all people over the age of 12 with diabetes.

HSELive is located at the Health and Wellness Marguee, unit 50-53, at the Ploughing Championship, which runs from September 18-20.