'Be safe: be rested' campaign for on-call rooms
Be safe, be rested
June 2008
If you are on-call or working a partial shift at night then your employer must provide you with an on-call room. If you are working a full-shift pattern you must have a 30 minute break every four hours and there should be somewhere available that is quiet and allows you to take short naps.
When introduced appropriately, full shift patterns can be a suitable solution to compliance with the European Working Time Directive regulations mainly ensuring that the number of hours a Junior Doctor works does not exceed that permitted by law, as well as stipulating minimum rest periods per 24 hour period and per week. In addition to these requirements, all Junior Doctors remain entitled to a natural break of 30 (thirty) minutes continuous duration after four hours work, in addition to any rest that is expected of their working pattern.
A number of Trusts have brought up the issue of closing on call rooms and removing access to beds to doctors who are working a full shift. Some Trusts have indicated that they do not believe doctors should be sleeping during a night time full shift (regardless of the work intensity) and have, therefore, proposed removing on-call rooms and the consequent loss of access to a bed for Junior Doctors.
All Junior Doctors remain entitled to a minimum of 30 minutes natural break after four hours work. At least two of these breaks would be required during a night shift of twelve hours duration. These natural breaks are an entitlement of all shift patterns, including full shifts, even when Junior Doctors are, effectively, being paid to work throughout the duty period.
Research conducted by the BMA Health Policy and Economic Research Unit, “Health & Safety Problems Associated with Doctors Working Patterns” shows that short periods of sleep (naps) during night shifts appears to be effective in reducing night time fatigue. The ability to take each 30 minute natural break that each Junior Doctor, including those working a full shift, is entitled to, in a quiet, dark room with a bed, will considerably enhance the Junior Doctor’s performance.
The JDC is working to ensure that all employers provide free accommodation for junior doctors working on call, full shifts or who reside compulsorily or voluntarily on site. The JDC strongly recommends to all Trusts that they do not close their on call rooms and is campaigning on this issue. 'Be safe: be rested' campaign posters highlighting the JDC campaign on on-call rooms are available to download in PDF format.
The JDC started the ‘Be safe: be rested’ campaign in 2005.