Cap duty hours, ensure rest for resident doctors: Parliamentary panel NEW DELHI: Flagging risks to patient safety, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has raised concern over “excessive continuous duty hours” for junior and senior resident doctors, warning that fatigue-driven errors and burnout could compromise care.In its latest report, the panel has recommended that the government introduce and strictly enforce a formal “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy. This should mandate fixed rest periods and monitored duty rosters, with oversight mechanisms to prevent violations.Drawing a parallel with aviation safety norms, the committee said healthcare must adopt similar fatigue management standards to reduce the risk of errors. “Safety-critical professions like civil aviation enforce strict duty hours to prevent fatigue-induced accidents,” the report noted, arguing that patient care demands comparable safeguards. The recommendation comes amid growing concern over long, unregulated shifts in teaching hospitals, where residents often work extended hours with limited rest. The panel warned that such conditions not only increase the likelihood of clinical mistakes but also contribute to burnout and mental health stress among young doctors.The issue has also been flagged by doctors’ groups. In a representation to the health ministry, the United Doctors Front (UDF) pointed out that existing norms under the Uniform Residency Scheme, 1992 already cap work at 48 hours a week and not more than 12 hours per shift, but these are widely flouted across institutions. The group has urged the government to issue binding instructions and create accountability mechanisms, including a high-level review to align medical duty hours with global safety standards.The committee’s observations gain urgency against the backdrop of rising concern over mental health issues among medical students and residents, with recent reports highlighting high stress levels and burnout.The panel has made it clear that regulating doctors’ duty hours is not just a labour issue but a patient safety imperative, and called for enforceable, monitored standards rather than advisory norms.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Releases UAV And Loitering Munition Roadmap, Focus On Drone-Centric WarfareDelhi-Dhaka Ties Reset As Bangladesh FM Arrives In India; Focus On Border, Visa, Energy & TradeManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal Provocation123Photostories7 classic vintage decor styles that make your home look more luxuriousSkip the snooze: 5 powerful quotes to kickstart your workoutCute pet names for babies born in AprilUric acid vs creatinine: What these kidney markers really reveal about your health7 high-protein vegetarian foods other than paneer10 couple-inspired house name ideas that add a personal touch6 quick blooming flowers to sow in AprilHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising waysYou have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIPL 2026Donald TrumpB V NagarathnaMP High CourtIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date
Cap duty hours, ensure rest for resident doctors: Parliamentary panel
NEW DELHI: Flagging risks to patient safety, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has raised concern over “excessive continuous duty hours” for junior and senior resident doctors, warning that fatigue-driven errors and burnout could compromise care.In its latest report, the panel has recommended that the government introduce and strictly enforce a formal “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy. This should mandate fixed rest periods and monitored duty rosters, with oversight mechanisms to prevent violations.Drawing a parallel with aviation safety norms, the committee said healthcare must adopt similar fatigue management standards to reduce the risk of errors. “Safety-critical professions like civil aviation enforce strict duty hours to prevent fatigue-induced accidents,” the report noted, arguing that patient care demands comparable safeguards. The recommendation comes amid growing concern over long, unregulated shifts in teaching hospitals, where residents often work extended hours with limited rest. The panel warned that such conditions not only increase the likelihood of clinical mistakes but also contribute to burnout and mental health stress among young doctors.The issue has also been flagged by doctors’ groups. In a representation to the health ministry, the United Doctors Front (UDF) pointed out that existing norms under the Uniform Residency Scheme, 1992 already cap work at 48 hours a week and not more than 12 hours per shift, but these are widely flouted across institutions. The group has urged the government to issue binding instructions and create accountability mechanisms, including a high-level review to align medical duty hours with global safety standards.The committee’s observations gain urgency against the backdrop of rising concern over mental health issues among medical students and residents, with recent reports highlighting high stress levels and burnout.The panel has made it clear that regulating doctors’ duty hours is not just a labour issue but a patient safety imperative, and called for enforceable, monitored standards rather than advisory norms.
