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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Doctors forced to work overnight shifts at last minute in NHS staffing crisis

A junior doctor, wearing gloves, holds his stethoscope during a patient visit
Staff sickness and the scarcity of locum medics has left hospital bosses struggling to ensure patients’ safety is maintained overnight. Photograph: Hannah McKay/AFP/Getty Images

Hospital doctors are being sent home from daytime shifts and told to come back and work overnight in the latest stark illustration of the NHS’s crippling staff shortage.

Medics are having to change their plans at the last minute because hospitals cannot find any others to plug gaps in the night shift medical rota and need to ensure they have enough doctors on duty.

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