One in three doctors in the NHS are so exhausted that their ability to treat patients is affected, according to a report which reveals medics are more sleep deprived now than during the Covid-19 pandemic. Longer hours, staff shortages, and increased demand for care have led to extreme tiredness among doctors, resulting in memory blanks, difficulties concentrating, and potential harm to patients.

More than one-third (35%) of doctors surveyed by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) said their exhaustion impaired their ability to treat patients. The MDU provides legal support to about 200,000 doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare workers across the UK.

Practicing medicine with impaired abilities was reported by a further third (34%) of doctors. Among those who experienced extreme tiredness, 26% said they had made an error that harmed a patient or caused a close call.

A graphic illustrates how the survey results show the growing impact of extreme tiredness on doctors, as more medics now report their ability to treat patients being affected and say their technical skills have been compromised.

The MDU’s head of advisory services, Dr. Udvitha Nandasoma, expressed concern, stating that doctors’ mental health continues to be affected by intense pressures that have not abated in the past three years. Serious patient safety incidents linked to exhaustion were reported in the survey, including missed diagnoses and other near misses.

The government acknowledged the long-standing overworking of doctors and stated it is committed to addressing burnout and improving NHS infrastructure. The Department of Health and Social Care plans to set out its strategies for supporting the NHS workforce in a refreshed long-term workforce plan to be published in the summer.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/03/one-in-three-nhs-doctors-so-tired-their-ability-to-treat-patients-is-affected-survey-finds