NIARHF Launches Sepsis awareness campaign for farming community at Balmoral Show
The Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum (NIARHF), alongside the Farm Safety Partnership, was pleased to launch a new campaign to raise awareness among farmers about the risks and warning signs of sepsis, in partnership with The UK Sepsis Trust.
The campaign was officially launched on Thursday 14 May at the Balmoral Show, hosted on the NFU Mutual and Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) stand, with both organisations being active forum members. The launch provided an important opportunity to engage directly with farmers, farm families and the wider rural community on a potentially life-threatening condition and the importance of acting quickly if symptoms are suspected.
Running across the forthcoming year, the campaign carries the clear and memorable message “Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?”, encouraging people to trust their instincts, ask questions, be curious and seek urgent medical help if something does not feel right.
Rebecca Orr, Chair of the Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum and a local GP, said:
“We were delighted to once again bring farmers and health experts together to highlight an important agricultural health issue. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where time is absolutely critical. Through this campaign, we want to ensure NI farm families have the knowledge and confidence to recognise the warning signs early and act quickly if concerns arise.”
Farmers are at increased risk of infection due to the nature of their work, with cuts, puncture wounds and animal-related injuries often part of day-to-day farm life. In agricultural environments where bacteria are present in soil, slurry and manure, minor injuries can quickly become infected and, if untreated, may progress to sepsis; a life-threatening condition that claims up to 48,000 lives each year in the UK. Evidence suggests that the busy and demanding nature of farming can delay people seeking medical help, a key factor in poorer sepsis outcomes.
Prof Gerry Gormley, alongside colleagues Prof Nigel Hart and Prof Helen Reid, said:
“Early detection and prompt action are paramount when it comes to sepsis. Many people do not realise how quickly some infections can become serious and progress to the life-threatening condition of sepsis. Through the innovative use of simulation, we aim to engage farmers and their families in a meaningful and practical way, increasing their awareness of the early signs of sepsis and, crucially, the importance of acting swiftly by seeking urgent medical attention.”
Cuts, wounds and infections are common in farming and should never be ignored. If symptoms worsen or something does not feel right, seeking medical advice urgently is vital.
Farm Family Health Checks and Rural Support were on hand at the event to encourage farmers and their families to seek advice early and to access confidential health support available across Northern Ireland.
Closing the event, Terence Canning, Head of Communities at The UK Sepsis Trust, said:
“Sepsis is a medical emergency that can affect anyone and potentially develop from infections that may initially seem minor. Campaigns like this are vital in helping farming communities recognise the warning signs early and understand when to seek urgent medical help. By working in partnership with the NI Agri-Rural Health Forum, we can bring life-saving information directly to farm families and reinforce the simple but powerful message, “Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?”.
For more information on the Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum, please contact forum secretariat Rural Support on 028 8676 0040 or visit www.ruralsupport.org.uk