Recurring concern
Unreliable fatigue controls for prolonged safety-critical shifts
- Reports that mention this concern
- 8
- Times this concern has been raised
- 9
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 11
What this concern includes
Includes unsafe prolonged shift patterns, inadequate or missed rest breaks, and failures to record or monitor working hours where these undermine fatigue control in clinical, custodial or other safety-critical work.
What is not included
- General staffing shortages or workload where fatigue-control arrangements are not identified
- Routine employment-compliance disputes with no supported public-safety risk
- Fatigue from unrelated medical or personal causes
- Competence or supervision failures where shift and rest controls are adequate
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Reports and published responses 8 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide rest breaks during prolonged night shifts
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Implement revised night-shift working patterns, including a four-night/three-day rota for new staff, to reduce consecutive night working and workload.
-
Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Employ a second registered nurse for night shifts.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
-
Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Recruitment challenges hinder employing a second registered nurse for night shifts, although this remains a priority.
-
Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Existing night-shift patterns were difficult to change because staff preferences and TUPE employment rights constrained alterations.
-
Concerns raised1
Excessive prison officer working hours
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- HM Prison and Probation Service
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
-
HM Prison and Probation Service
Increase operational staffing, including Band 3–5 officers, at HMP Exeter.
-
HM Prison and Probation Service
Introduce a retention toolkit to help Governors identify drivers of staff attrition.
-
HM Prison and Probation Service
Review staff profiles and the core day regime to address leadership and staffing concerns.
-
HM Prison and Probation Service
Examine the overall staffing model for public-sector prisons to improve resource-allocation analysis and prioritisation.
-
Concerns raised1
Exclusion of delivery van drivers from Working Time Regulations limiting working hours
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Department for Transport
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
-
Department for Transport
Existing drivers’ hours, working-time and fatigue-management requirements are considered an appropriate response to risks involving light goods vehicle drivers.
-
Department for Transport
DVSA is responsible for enforcing drivers’ hours rules, while employers and the Health and Safety Executive address workplace fatigue risks.
-
Department for Transport
The Department cannot provide a definitive interpretation of legislation because its meaning and scope are ultimately matters for the courts.
-
Concerns raised1
Lack of regulations governing van driver working hours
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Department for Transport
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
Department for Transport
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is responsible for enforcing the GB Drivers’ Hours rules.
-
Concerns raised1
Inadequate fatigue-risk controls for keepers undertaking night-time hand-rearing
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
-
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Risks to zoo keepers from worker fatigue fall outside the remit of the new Standards and zoo inspection process.
-
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Double-door systems, documented safe systems of work and lone-worker policies should sufficiently mitigate human-reliability and fatigue risks.
-
Concerns raised1
On-call rota failing to provide rest and recuperation after 12-hour night duties
This report raised 14 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Excessive working hours for consultant neurologists
Linked response
- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Review the consultant’s job plan to address workload and work-life balance.
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Introduce a new job plan reducing the consultant’s clinical sessions.
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Stop the consultant travelling to Cannock Hospital for clinics and ward referrals.
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Provide the consultant with support from a second consultant at County Hospital.
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Encourage the consultant to use available administrative support.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
The consultant’s working arrangements complied with applicable regulations through the compensatory-rest regime and her job plan.
-
Concerns raised2
Excessive shifts and inadequate breaks for Clinical Decisions Unit nursing staff
Excessive shifts and inadequate breaks for A & E staff
This report raised 13 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
-
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
The failure to complete outstanding assessments did not arise from staff working long shifts, whose benefits were considered to counterbalance associated risks.
-
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Although an earlier break would have been preferable, the delayed break was not considered to have compromised patient care.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026