Nurses oppose 12-hour shifts

Protest against working hours revamp prompts quick backdown, writes Apinya Wipatayotin

- Apinya Wipatayotin

Nurses at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital have protested against the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council's new working hours which were set to apply at state-run hospitals nationwide.

The new 12-hour shift would lead to burnout and that no hearing has yet been conducted among those on the frontline, they said.

Deputy Director of Medical Affairs at the hospital, Dr Premchai Tirangkoon, met the protesting staff. He said the 12-hour shift policy is voluntary, and units or wards facing difficulties can continue with the current eight-hour system, reports said.

In more good news, the council said it would postpone the change, saying it needs to gather more information. It added a new announcement will follow, including work guidelines and suitable working hours for nurses.

Nurse Suwimol Namkanisorn said the council had acted under pressure from nurses working in state-run hospitals, who are unhappy with the regulation. She said the new work-hour rules will not improve nurses' working conditions.