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Livestock cause many fatal and non-fatal agricultural accidents. It is crucial to understand how farmers perceive and manage different risks associated with livestock handling to devise better solutions for accident reduction. The current study investigated farmers' perception and management of four types of livestock handling risks related to self, animal, environment, and equipment. Additionally, farmers' and agricultural stakeholders' perspectives were compared. Two samples comprising 56 farmers and 55 stakeholders from the UK and Ireland completed the online study. Participants were presented with eight short livestock handling vignettes, two per risk type, and were asked to decide whether they would proceed with the task, to report their reasoning, and to detail their risk management strategies. Likert-scale responses across scenarios were compared. Thematic analysis was used to identify qualitative data patterns. Stress and fatigue were perceived as low risk by both samples based on quantitative and qualitative results. The thematic analysis revealed that risk was evaluated in terms of broader aspects, including animal welfare and duty. Participants reported the use of cognitive non-technical skills when mitigating risks associated with handling livestock alone. By changing safety messages to capture farmer priorities, agricultural organisations could encourage risk avoidance, especially in situations involving stress or fatigue. Furthermore, the cognitive non-technical skills identified could be trained within existing courses for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontline workers have shown extraordinary resilience and sustained efforts since the outbreak of COVID-19. The present study used semi-structured interviews with 38 frontline workers in the UK and Ireland to explore the psychological impact of working through COVID-19. The qualitative data were analysed systematically using thematic analysis. Four themes were interpreted: 1)) "I've stopped turning the telly on. I've had to because the news was making me ill": An ecosystem of influence; 2) "Dead, dead, dead": The emotional and psychological toll: 3) "It's shone a light on what we're failing on as well": Injustices, hierarchies and heroes: and 4) "I definitely think COVID happened for a reason to stop us in our tracks and to slow us down": Unexpected positives. This research offers insights into how frontline workers make sense of their experiences during periods of enormous societal and occupational stress. The learnings generated have relevance for government and organisational policy-makers who have opportunities to shape future conditions for frontline workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foetal surgery to repair open spina bifida before birth improves infant motor function and reduces ventriculoperitoneal shunt requirement. Alongside the development of the first UK foetal surgery service, we surveyed the knowledge and acceptability of this treatment to healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland via an electronic questionnaire. Ninety-eight (98) responses were received: MFM clinicians (21), midwives (20), paediatric neurosurgeons (17), obstetricians (15), neonatologists (13), theatre nurses (11) and commissioners (1). Overall 70% of responders agreed with the concept that foetal surgery improved neonatal outcome in selected cases; although, only 41% of paediatric neurosurgeons agreed. A variety of concerns were expressed, the most common being the lack information regarding mid- to long-term effects on the child and mother.In offering this new service, it is important that we are cognisant of healthcare professional concerns and address them by applying internationally accepted criteria for foetal surgery, emphasising patient choice and collecting long-term data.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Foetal surgery is a potentially controversial intervention, which is increasing in availability globally. Foetal surgery is now available in the UK on a charitable-funding basis. Prior to starting a UK foetal surgery service, we assessed the attitudes and knowledge of healthcare professionals in the UK towards this new surgery.What the results of this study add? Overall the majority of healthcare professionals agree with the concept that foetal surgery improves neonatal outcome in selected cases, but a variety of concerns exist, the most common being the lack of information regarding mid- to long-term effects on the child and mother. Other concerns included a lack of education, training and research; the specific risk of preterm birth following surgery; the evidence base for this procedure; effects on maternal choice and financial implications.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Those developing this new service should be mindful of the concerns expressed and address them by applying internationally accepted criteria for foetal surgery, emphasising patient choice and collecting long-term data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tractors are a source of injury and fatality in agriculture. Despite this farmers continue to engage in risk-taking behaviors, including operating tractors without appropriate equipment. In order to change behaviors and attitudes toward safety, it is important to understand how farmers approach different types of risk relevant to tractor use. The current study used a qualitative approach to investigate farmer perception of four types of tractor-based risk related to self, equipment, lack of safety features, and environment. Method: A sample of 148 farmers from the United Kingdom and Ireland was recruited from farming forums to take part in an online scenario-based qualitative study. Participants were presented with 12 tractor-based scenarios, three from each category of risk, and asked to indicate if they would proceed to use the tractor (go) or not (no-go), then report their reasoning. Thematic analysis was used to identify data patterns. Results: Farmers appeared to assess the consequences of risk in broader terms than the risk of injury to themselves; they also evaluated risk in terms of potential costs (e.g., repair bill) and losses (e.g., delay). Analysis indicated that financial risk was considered with more caution than personal risk in many cases. Farmers also considered usability, such as the functionality of tractor seat belts, indicating the importance of ensuring all safety equipment is fit for purpose. Conclusion: The management of agricultural risk should consider farmer priorities (such as financial costs) in order to develop effective messaging that focuses on those priorities, with the aim of reducing risk-taking behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]