Well-rested, refreshed doctors are as important for patient well-being as awake and alert pilots are for safe aviation

Sep 17 2004

Vital rest rooms for junior doctors have been reopened following a sit-in by doctors and pressure from the BMA.

But Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust in London could yet to decide to close the rooms – that juniors say are a crucial safety measure – following a consultation.

A group of doctors protested against the closure at Chase Farm Hospital by occupying a room that was in the process of being locked up. Following a meeting, the trust agreed to suspend both the closure of on-call rooms and its policy of charging doctors £15 to use post-shift rest rooms while further talks took place.

It is just one example of dozens across the UK. BMA News has received numerous calls and letters from doctors telling us rest rooms, often known as 'on-call' rooms, are being scrapped.

Juniors told BMA News:

• They were being charged for the use of post-shift rest rooms
• They have had to use a spare room on an open psychiatric ward
• They have had to sleep on doctors' mess room floors

Hospital trusts claim the move to shift working means sleeping facilities are no longer needed but juniors point to guidance from the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland that says naps can boost alertness and performance.

BMA junior doctors committee joint deputy chairman David Macklin says trusts have seized the opportunity to save money and space, adding: 'Well-rested, refreshed doctors are as important for patient well-being as awake and alert pilots are for safe aviation. The public would not be happy for airlines to forbid pilots to sleep during long-haul flights - and I wonder if any NHS chief executive would wish to fly with such an airline?'