NHS staff are facing a significant risk to patients due to extreme tiredness and exhaustion, according to England’s NHS safety watchdog. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body highlighted that fatigued staff in hospitals are prone to medication errors, impaired decision-making, reduced attention, and rude behavior. Despite limited data on the scale of the issue, evidence from staff surveys and safety experts suggest that fatigue is a contributing factor in safety incidents.
In a report by the watchdog, examples of mistakes related to pregnancy scans and chemotherapy drugs were cited. One incident involved harm to a mother and baby after an inaccurate scan, where the staff member attributed fatigue and workload as contributing factors. In another case involving chemotherapy, staff working long hours with limited breaks due to staffing pressures were found to have fatigue as a likely factor in an error.
Some NHS staff reported being sleep-deprived on a daily basis, with concerns raised about their ability to make critical decisions during extended shifts. Exhaustion not only poses a risk to patient safety but also to the well-being of staff, with reports of employees falling asleep at the wheel after work. Factors such as shift work, long hours, lack of breaks, caring responsibilities, and financial pressures contribute to staff fatigue, which is often misunderstood as a well-being issue rather than a safety concern.
Senior safety investigator Saskia Fursland emphasized the need to address fatigue as a system-level risk rather than an individual issue. Dr. Latifa Patel from the British Medical Association stressed the importance of better rota design and improved rest facilities in hospitals to combat staff fatigue. Additionally, workforce shortages were identified as a driver of fatigue among NHS staff. NHS England acknowledged the risk of burnout among staff and pledged to provide the necessary support for safe patient care, including flexible working options and mental health support
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
