The hidden stress of waiting for surgery: Five ways farmers can manage the pressure

Farmers waiting for surgery face a double burden of managing their health while keeping their businesses running, with research highlighting the significant emotional strain associated with delays in treatment.

A 2026 study published in BMJ Open found that 86% of patients surveyed while awaiting cardiac surgery reported worrying about their situation, while more than six in ten felt their clinical team did not acknowledge their distress.

For farmers, the uncertainty of waiting for treatment can be particularly challenging. Unlike many other professions, agricultural work often cannot simply be put on hold, with livestock needing daily care, crops requiring attention and seasonal demands continuing regardless of illness or injury.

The financial implications can add further pressure, particularly for smaller family farms where bringing in replacement labour may be costly or difficult to arrange.

The wider mental health challenges facing the agricultural community are well documented. Research from the Farm Safety Foundation's Mind Your Head campaign has highlighted the pressures affecting farmers' mental wellbeing, while the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's Big Farming Survey identified significant physical and mental health challenges across the farming community.

Ahead of Stress Awareness Day (4 November), My Medical Gateway (MMG), which helps UK patients access private surgical treatment at accredited European hospitals, is encouraging farmers to recognise the emotional impact of waiting for surgery and take practical steps to manage the pressure.

Recognising the wider impact of waiting, Sara Gezdari, spokesperson for My Medical Gateway, said today:

"Farmers face a unique set of challenges when waiting for surgery. Farming doesn't stop because someone is unwell, and the pressure to keep working through pain or reduced mobility can be considerable.

"For many, the worry isn't simply about their health. It's about who will look after the livestock, how the farm will cope during recovery and whether they can afford to take time away from work.

"While farmers may have limited control over when treatment takes place, there are practical steps they can take to manage the stress, plan ahead and understand the options available to them."

Five ways farmers can manage the stress of waiting for surgery

1. Plan ahead for time away from the farm

Uncertainty about when surgery will take place can make it difficult to organise work and arrange cover. Identify essential tasks that will need to continue during treatment and recovery, and consider who could step in if required.

Speak to family members, neighbouring farmers or trusted contractors about potential support. Having a contingency plan can help reduce anxiety about leaving the farm, even if a treatment date has not yet been confirmed.

2. Don't ignore the impact of pain and physical strain

Farming is physically demanding, and working through pain or reduced mobility can make existing health problems worse.

Speak to your GP or clinical team about managing symptoms safely while waiting for treatment. Where possible, consider adapting tasks, using machinery to reduce physical strain or temporarily delegating particularly demanding jobs.

Looking after your health is essential to protecting your long-term ability to work.

3. Address financial worries early

For self-employed farmers, time away from work can create significant financial uncertainty, particularly where replacement labour is needed or essential work must be outsourced.

Consider the potential costs of recovery, review any relevant insurance cover and speak to your accountant or financial adviser about contingency arrangements.

Agricultural charities and support organisations may also be able to provide practical guidance or financial assistance in difficult circumstances.

4. Understand your treatment options

Long waits for surgery can add to feelings of frustration and helplessness, particularly when health problems are affecting the ability to work.

Patients can ask their health provider about expected waiting times to manage expectations. For those considering private treatment, either in the UK or overseas, it is important to research carefully, understand the full costs and check arrangements for follow-up care.

5. Don't face the pressure alone

Farmers are often accustomed to dealing with problems independently, but managing illness alongside the demands of running a farm can take a significant emotional toll.

Talking to family, friends or other farmers about concerns can help reduce feelings of isolation. Organisations including the Farming Community Network (FCN), RABI and the Farm Safety Foundation can also signpost farmers towards appropriate support.

If stress or anxiety is becoming difficult to manage, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.

Sara Gezdari, spokesperson for MMG added:

"Farmers are used to putting the needs of their businesses and livestock first, but their own health and wellbeing must not become an afterthought.

"Seeking support, planning for recovery and understanding the treatment options available can help ease some of the uncertainty and give farmers greater confidence about the future."

My Medical Gateway connects UK patients with MMG-accredited private hospitals in the European Union, with a guaranteed choice of three surgery dates within six weeks of medical clearance.