@article{ref1,
title="The use of NHS accident and emergency services by commercial sea fishermen in the North East of Scotland",
journal="Occupational medicine",
year="2005",
author="Matheson, Catriona and Morrison, Shannon and Murphy, Elizabeth and Ritchie, Lara and Bond, Christine and Lawrie, Thane",
volume="55",
number="2",
pages="96-98",
abstract="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'. CONCLUSION: 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.",
language="",
issn="0962-7480",
doi="10.1093/occmed/kqi037",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqi037"
}