My colleague Andrew Gregory reports that patients are suffering harm because NHS doctors are so deprived of sleep during the Covid epidemic.
One in four doctors in the NHS are so tired of the fact that their ability to treat patients has become impaired, according to the first survey that showed the impact of sleep deprivation on medics during the coronaviruses epidemic.
According to the report from the Medical Defence Union MDU, growing workloads, longer hours and widespread staff shortages are leading to memory problems and difficulty concentrating. It provides legal support to about 200,000 doctors, nurses, dentists and other healthcare workers.
The survey of more than 500 doctors across the UK, carried out within the past month and seen by the Guardian, found almost 40 near misses as a direct result of exhaustion. In at least seven cases, patients actually suffered harm.
Despite the encouraging signs that the Omicron wave may be fading, doctors admitted that the constant pressure of the past 22 months spent fighting coronaviruses on the frontline was taking a toll on their technical skills and ability to make simple medical decisions. Medics admitted for the first time that sleep deprivation was causing real harm to patients in the NHS.
Almost six in 10 doctors 59% reported that their sleep patterns had worsened during the epidemic. More than a quarter 26% of medics admitted being so tired that their ability to treat patients was impaired. One in six 18% said a patient was harmed or a near miss occurred as a result.
One described how their patient collapsed after being prescribed penicillin, something they had previously told the same doctor they were allergic to. The Doctor blamed a perfect storm of chronic fatigue and an unmanageable workload Another said widespread staff shortages meant that doctors and their healthcare colleagues are running on empty by the end of the day, said Matthew Lee, chief executive of the MDU.
He said that fatigue increased the risk of mistakes and harm to patients and doctors' health. The MDU survey of medics had 532 respondents, including hospital doctors, consultants, specialists and junior doctors, as well as poor concentration, 40% decision-making difficulties, 37% and mental health problems. Nearly one in 10 9% of medics said they felt sleep deprived at work on a daily basis. More than 28% of the population reported feeling deprived of sleep every week. More than one in six 17% said sleep deprivation was affecting their technical abilities when caring for patients.
One in four NHS doctors are tired to the point of impairment, according to the full story.