HSSIB report reveals that fatigue is still putting patients and staff at risk - it’s time for change
7 May 2025
Fatigue continues to put both patients and healthcare staff at serious risk. The Association has long campaigned for change, and we are proud to have recently contributed to the Health Services Safety Investigations Body’s (HSSIB) latest report - The impact of staff fatigue on patient safety.
The report sets out several important findings that we support, including:
- Fatigue directly affects patient outcomes and staff performance
- A strong safety culture is essential for managing fatigue risk effectively
- Fatigue is too often seen as a personal failing, rather than a systemic issue
- Tired staff, especially those driving after night shifts, are at heightened risk
- Cultural barriers, such as pride and tradition, can prevent open conversations about fatigue
These findings are powerful, but they’re not new to us. Our Fight Fatigue campaign has worked to raise awareness around the dangerous culture of fatigue within the NHS for some time. In our survey of over 2,150 anaesthetists nearly 75% said fatigue had harmed their physical or mental health. A staggering 84% had felt too tired to drive safely after a night shift and 57% had experienced a near miss or accident.
Fatigue is not just an individual issue - it’s a systemic challenge that requires meaningful, structural change. The HSSIB’s report is a significant step forward in recognising this, and we strongly urge the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the report’s recommendations without delay.