BMA annual meeting: BMA issues warning over dangerous working patterns

Seven in 10 doctors never have rest time after a busy night on call, a survey by the BMA has found. The organisation has warned that these working patterns compromise patient safety and put doctors at risk of chronic fatigue and burnout.

The survey of 847 consultants in England and Northern Ireland found that 88% reported being on an on-call rota and that just under half were called to attend hospital during the week, on one to six occasions. This figure was even higher at weekends, when almost two thirds of consultants on …