Third of NHS doctors’ fatigue impairing their ability to treat patients

A recent survey by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) reveals that one in three NHS doctors are so fatigued that it impairs their ability to treat patients. The survey, which included about 500 doctors across the UK, highlights the severe impact of exhaustion on medical professionals, with doctors more sleep deprived now than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key findings include:

• 35% of doctors reported that extreme tiredness impaired their ability to treat patients.

• 34% indicated their ability to practice medicine might have been impaired.

• 26% of doctors noted that patients had been harmed or had near misses due to their extreme tiredness.

The report highlights that long hours, staff shortages, and increased demand for care have exacerbated fatigue among doctors. Many doctors experience memory blanks and concentration issues, directly impacting patient safety.

The survey also found:

• 22% of doctors felt sleep deprived at work daily, up from 9% in 2022.

• 35% of doctors reported extreme tiredness impaired their ability to treat patients, up from 26% in 2022.

• 38% of doctors were rarely or never able to take breaks during the workday.

Dr. Udvitha Nandasoma, MDU’s head of advisory services, expressed concern over the findings, emphasizing the need for adequate rest breaks to ensure doctors can provide safe patient care. The government acknowledges the issue, attributing the challenges to an inherited NHS with broken systems and infrastructure, and promises reforms and investment to improve conditions.

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