Doctors not required to work longer: NSW

NSW Health says there is no policy that requires surgeons to work long hours without rest, putting lives at risk.

Angry surgeons say they are so tired during operations that their cognitive and motor skills are similar to those of drivers after five standard alcoholic drinks, The Sun-Herald reports.

"We recognise that working environments that provide services around the clock have a greater potential for work-related fatigue to become an OHS (occupational health and safety) issue," a NSW health spokeswoman said.

"In particular, staff working in environments that require shift work, extended hours or high levels of overtime may be at increased risk of suffering work related fatigue.

NSW Health says it has proactive measures in place to address the problem, including shift and rostering design and prioritising surgery so that, wherever possible, it can be performed during normal work hours.

The media report said surgeons had been ordered to work up to 80 hours a week to slash the NSW government's surgical waiting lists, putting lives at risk.