The report, published today by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), found that staff fatigue contributes directly and indirectly to patient harm.

Despite this, the HSSIB found little evidence to help identify the size and scale of the problem as staff fatigue is not usually accounted for as part of patient safety event reporting or learning.

The report also discusses factors that contribute to staff fatigue, including, but not limited to, demanding workloads, long shifts, insufficient rest facilities and breaks during and between shifts.

As part of its Agenda for Change programme, the MDU is campaigning for the government to provide staff catering and rest facilities to all NHS employees and the continuation of funding for programmes such as NHS Practitioner Health to support medical professionals who experience burnout.

The HSSIB's report also echoes a recent MDU survey of 481 doctors that found 22% of respondents felt sleep-deprived on a daily basis and a further 19% on a weekly basis. 35% of respondents also stated that tiredness had impaired their ability to treat patients and 34% said tiredness may have played a part.

Dr Michael Devlin, MDU head of professional standards and liaison, said:

"We are pleased that the HSSIB's report recognises the importance and impact of staff fatigue on patient safety.

"It is troubling that there has been so little evidence gathered to identify the scale and scope of the problem, despite the introduction in the NHS of new investigation methods, such as the systems approaches in the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework.

"However, at the MDU, we have long championed the need for doctors to have sufficient breaks and rest facilities as many doctors are at risk of serious fatigue and burnout and we are committed to ensuring that the wellbeing of healthcare workers gets the attention it deserves.

"At the MDU, we have heard time and again from our members that small changes could make a big difference. Improving rest and catering facilities would help to boost morale and could help reduce the risk of burnout."

MDU welcomes latest HSSIB report into the impact of staff fatigue on patient safety

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