Recurring concern
Unreliable fatigue controls for prolonged safety-critical shifts
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Request correctionFirst reported 31 Oct 2014•Latest report 21 Mar 2024
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.
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
- Reports
- 8
- Individual concerns
- 9
- Date range
- 2014–2024
- Stated actions
- 11
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports 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.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Implement revised night-shift working patterns, including a four-night/three-day rota for new staff, to reduce consecutive night working and workload.
Stated by Cardiff & Vale University LHB -
Action
Employ a second registered nurse for night shifts.
Stated by Cardiff & Vale University LHB
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Recruitment challenges hinder employing a second registered nurse for night shifts, although this remains a priority.
Stated by Cardiff & Vale University LHB
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Position
Existing night-shift patterns were difficult to change because staff preferences and TUPE employment rights constrained alterations.
Stated by Cardiff & Vale University LHB
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Increase operational staffing, including Band 3–5 officers, at HMP Exeter.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Introduce a retention toolkit to help Governors identify drivers of staff attrition.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Review staff profiles and the core day regime to address leadership and staffing concerns.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Action
Examine the overall staffing model for public-sector prisons to improve resource-allocation analysis and prioritisation.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
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Position
Existing drivers’ hours, working-time and fatigue-management requirements are considered an appropriate response to risks involving light goods vehicle drivers.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Position
DVSA is responsible for enforcing drivers’ hours rules, while employers and the Health and Safety Executive address workplace fatigue risks.
Stated by Department for Transport -
Position
The Department cannot provide a definitive interpretation of legislation because its meaning and scope are ultimately matters for the courts.
Stated by Department for Transport
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is responsible for enforcing the GB Drivers’ Hours rules.
Stated by Department for Transport
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Risks to zoo keepers from worker fatigue fall outside the remit of the new Standards and zoo inspection process.
Stated by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
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Position
Double-door systems, documented safe systems of work and lone-worker policies should sufficiently mitigate human-reliability and fatigue risks.
Stated by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Excessive working hours for consultant neurologists
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
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Action
Review the consultant’s job plan to address workload and work-life balance.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust -
Action
Introduce a new job plan reducing the consultant’s clinical sessions.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust -
Action
Stop the consultant travelling to Cannock Hospital for clinics and ward referrals.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
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Action
Provide the consultant with support from a second consultant at County Hospital.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust -
Action
Encourage the consultant to use available administrative support.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The consultant’s working arrangements complied with applicable regulations through the compensatory-rest regime and her job plan.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
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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.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
The failure to complete outstanding assessments did not arise from staff working long shifts, whose benefits were considered to counterbalance associated risks.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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Position
Although an earlier break would have been preferable, the delayed break was not considered to have compromised patient care.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026