Ploughing through barriers in farming and healthcare
"There is nothing wrong - until we can't get out of bed in the morning!"
This report examines the unique challenges faced by North Yorkshire’s farming community, highlighting the barriers that often delay or prevent farmers from seeking care. It also explores successful approaches from other areas of the country and presents practical solutions to make access to care better.
Introduction
Farming is far more than a job, it is a way of life. But it is also a way of life that places a heavy burden on health and wellbeing. In North Yorkshire, farmers face long hours, physically demanding work and constant pressure from unpredictable weather, rising costs and fluctuating demand. Many find it difficult to set aside time or obtain support to prioritise their own health.
The work can be isolating, with long periods spent alone in rural settings. This means stress and physical pain can build up without anyone noticing until it becomes serious. When family farms rely on a small number of people, taking even a single day away can cause delays and financial strain. This pressure often persuades farmers to push through pain and avoid medical appointments.
There is also a cultural expectation within farming to be resilient and to carry on regardless of discomfort. Many farmers told us that they simply cannot imagine leaving work to seek medical advice, even when symptoms persist. Others worry about how they will travel to appointments or whether the services available will fully understand the demands of rural life.
With 79 percent of land in North Yorkshire used for farming, the rural context brings unique health challenges. These concerns build on our 2023 report, rurality and the healthcare barriers, which highlighted how distance, poor transport links and digital difficulties affect access to care. The findings in this new report show how those challenges are intensified within the farming community, where workloads and responsibilities limit flexibility.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire’s latest report on farming explores why many farmers delay or avoid seeking medical care, and what practical steps could make support easier to reach.
What we found
We spoke to 220 people from the farming community about their experiences. The three biggest health issues they reported were:
- 74 percent experience back, joint, knee, shoulder or muscle pain
- 42 percent deal with stress or anxiety
- 31 percent say they have sleep problems
Yet even with these issues, many farmers are reluctant to seek help. Key barriers include:
- Time constraints: 36 percent said farm work prevented them from putting health first
- Financial pressure: Taking time off leads to lost income and hiring cover is costly
- Difficult appointment access: 40 percent said that booking and attending appointments is difficult due to the unpredictable nature of farm work
- Rural access concerns: Distance, limited transport and poor internet connectivity hamper access
- Fear and stigma: 28 percent felt their issues were not serious enough to justify help
- Licence concerns: Some worried that discussing mental health could affect their gun licence
- Lack of awareness of services: “I have no idea what services are about”
- Limited understanding by health professionals: “I just feel like health professionals have no idea about the farming way of life”
- Alternative first port of call: “I have not got time to go to the doctor. It is easier to ask the vet”
- Health takes second place: “There is nothing wrong until we cannot get out of bed in the morning”
What would help
The findings point to a number of practical steps that could improve access to health support for the farming community:
- Drop in clinics at auction marts
- Mobile units visiting rural villages
- Dedicated health workers who can direct people to services
- Better communication and visibility of support in community spaces
- Training for trusted rural professionals, such as vets, to help sign post services
- Walk in access at GP practices
- Appointment times that fit farming schedules
- Improved understanding among health professionals about the realities of farming life
Moving forward
We want to see real progress so that more farmers in North Yorkshire, and beyond, can access the healthcare they need. Early support can surface health issues sooner and avoid them worsening, which reduces pressure on emergency services and helps farmers remain well and active in their communities.
While our 2023 report highlighted the barriers rural communities face when accessing care, the experiences shared in this new report show how those challenges are intensified within farming. They also point towards where improvements should now be focused, particularly around flexibility, location and tailored support.
To make a meaningful difference, health and care services need to consider time, distance and scheduling pressures when designing support for rural communities. Approaches delivered in familiar settings can help build confidence, improve awareness and encourage people to seek help at the right time.
