16 May 2019
The national Fight Fatigue campaign aims to raise awareness of the impact of fatigue and shift work on the NHS workforce. It's a joint initiative of the Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.
The Fight Fatigue campaign was launched in 2018 in response to the tragic death of a trainee anaesthetist who died whilst driving home tired after a night shift.
In addition, a national survey of over 2,000 anaesthetic trainees published in the scientific journal Anaesthesia found:
- Nearly three quarters of respondents reported fatigue had a negative effect on their physical health or psychological wellbeing
- 84% had felt too tired to drive home safely after a night shift
- Less than a third had access to a suitable rest facility
- 57% had experienced an accident or near miss when driving home after a night shift
RCPCH President Professor Russell Viner, said:
Sleep and good rest are so important for people’s physical and mental health. If healthcare professionals are going to look after patients as best they can, they have to look after themselves too. By raising awareness of the impact of fatigue and improving the working environment, this campaign has the potential to significantly improve the wellbeing of healthcare staff and the people they treat.
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