The use of NHS accident and emergency services by commercial sea fishermen in the North East of Scotland.
BACKGROUND
Commercial sea fishing is known to be a hazardous occupation, but little quantitative research has been conducted in the UK.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the demography of commercial fishermen accessing NHS accident and emergency (A&E) services and profile the reasons for attendance.


METHODS
Eight NHS A&E departments in North East Scotland participated in the audit. A structured data collection form was completed by the attending nurse or doctor during a 6 month period (March-August). All commercial sea fishermen attending during this time were included whether or not the reason for attendance was work-related.


RESULTS
There were 164 cases of which 133 (81%) presented with injuries and 19 (12%) with illnesses (12 unknown). Twenty-seven (16%) cases had required emergency evacuation from commercial vessels. The most frequent category of injury was 'hand', 'wrist' or 'finger' followed by 'head', 'face' and 'throat'.


CONCLUSIONS
Commercial sea fishing is a dangerous occupation with many injuries requiring NHS A&E treatment. The relatively high level of injuries compared to illness indicates that there are still safety issues to be addressed and current risk assessment requirements need to be reviewed.
Matheson
Catriona
C
Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2AY, UK. c.i.math@abdn.ac.uk
Morrison
Sarah
S
Murphy
Elizabeth
E
Ritchie
Lewis
L
Bond
Christine
C
Lawrie
Thane
T
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009326:Naval Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013222:State Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology