Hannah Reddaway: Sepsis shock prompts safety rethink

I thought calling 111 was ridiculous when I pricked my finger with a needle while injecting a sheep with calcium.

I am reasonably accustomed to the scrapes, cuts, and bruises that come with farming (and being a generally clumsy person).

However, a seemingly minor injury quickly escalated into something more serious.

See also: Mike Neaverson – where’s the ‘big lever’ on the tractor?

About the author

Hannah Reddaway

Hannah Reddaway works part-time as a chartered structural engineer alongside working on her family’s South Devon dairy farm, where she has started her own sheep and meat box enterprises.

Read more articles by Hannah Reddaway

I didn’t notice that I had the symptoms of sepsis (fever or hypothermia, a fast heart rate, chills, clammy skin, confusion, and shortness of breath) as I was recovering from Covid at the time.

Fortunately, one of my friends called 111 and dragged me to A&E.

I felt even more embarrassed waiting in A&E with a sore finger, while such serious injuries were visible around me.

However, I was somewhat reassured that I was in the right place when the surgeon told me that if I’d left it any longer I would have lost my finger or hand, and potentially even my life.

This experience gave me a shock and made me realise that prioritising health and safety is not a sign of weakness, but an essential aspect of responsible farming.

It also highlighted how sepsis can affect anyone at any time, and it happens fast.

I pricked myself during Friday lunchtime and was in the hospital on IV antibiotics all weekend, with an operation under general anaesthetic to have it cleaned out on Sunday morning.

My encounter has driven me to prioritise safety measures that I previously thought were over the top, such as wearing appropriate protective gear, maintaining equipment regularly, and implementing strict hygiene protocols. I hope it encourages others to do the same.

Farming is a rewarding, but physically demanding, occupation that exposes us to various risks, including injuries. We often pride ourselves on our resilience, sometimes neglecting our health and safety.

However, this experience shifted my perspective. Sepsis can be caused by seemingly harmless infections, so please prioritise your wellbeing and promptly seek medical attention for any injury, no matter how minor.