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Fatigue

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An exhausted trainee anaesthetist was tragically killed after falling asleep at the wheel of their car in 2015. This isn't an isolated incident. Our recent survey showed that many doctors have experienced an accident or near miss when driving home after a night shift. It's time to change the culture of fatigue in the healthcare profession. We need to #FightFatigue together.

Survey reveals impact of fatigue on hospital consultants

Politicians, healthcare bodies and medical royal colleges from across the UK are backing the national Fight Fatigue Campaign to help raise awareness of the impact of fatigue and shift work on our NHS workforce. Despite growing support for the campaign there is still much to be done, as demonstrated by survey results published today (3 September 2019) which reveals the scale and impact of out-of- hours working on consultant anaesthetists and intensivists.

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Our survey 

Results from a 2017 national survey of the effects of fatigue on trainees in anaesthesia in the UK shows these worrying statistics. 

Health concerns

73% reported negative physical effects resulting from fatigue

Driving

57% have experienced an accident or near-miss after a night shift

Mental health

71.2% felt fatigue has impacted their psychological wellbeing

Personal impact

67.9% reported fatigue was effecting their relationships