RCoA responds to HSSIB investigation into the impact of staff fatigue on patient safety
Last week the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) published its investigation into the impact of staff fatigue on patient safety. The investigation, which engaged NHS staff across acute hospitals, highlights significant gaps in how the NHS identifies, monitors, and learns from fatigue-related risks affecting both staff and patients.
The RCoA contributed to the investigation and fully supports HSSIB’s recommendations. These include a call for NHS England / Department of Health and Social care to strengthen systems for capturing staff fatigue-related data, and for the NHS Staff Council to develop a shared definition of fatigue across healthcare professions.
The report confirms what healthcare professionals have long known: fatigue poses a direct and indirect risk to patient safety and to the wellbeing of the workforce. As a professional body, we are committed to continuing to help drive change. The HSSIB’s safety observations align with work we have done to support education on fatigue, embed best practice and collect data.
Dr Claire Shannon, President of the Royal College Anaesthetists said:
“Tackling fatigue is not just a workforce issue – it is a patient safety imperative. The HSSIB report is a timely reminder of the scale of this challenge, and the need for coordinated action across the system.
“The anaesthetic profession has long recognised the risks associated with fatigue. Through our work with the Association of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, our Fight Fatigue campaign has helped raise awareness, shift culture, and drive improvements in working environments.
“We welcome the report’s emphasis on embedding best practice, and we will continue to provide clear, practical guidance through our Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthetic Services. This includes recommendations on rota design, rest facilities, and tools to assess fatigue risk.
“As the report notes, data is critical. That’s why we are currently capturing fatigue-related insights in our 2025 Census – ensuring that our members’ experiences inform future policy and practice.”
