Junior doctors at a hospital in Sydney have been threatened with an increased workload and “less comfortable chairs” for napping on overnight shifts, in a directive that has been met with disbelief by many across the medical profession.

In an email, a manager at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital warned them they were “not being paid to sleep while on shift”, saying that making a “cosy bed” in the lounge area was unprofessional and not permitted.

“It has become painfully obvious that some JMOs feel that the night shifts are not very busy,” the manager added. 

“As each day passes, pillows and blankets continue to multiply and are often left (for all to see) all over the lounges, clearly indicating that some JMOs appear to be making themselves a cosy bed to sleep while they are meant to be on shift!