“…The shift system of working has typically been adopted by hard‐pressed specialties due to the intensity of the workload that continues into out‐of‐hours periods 13,19 . A number of studies have described the successful implementation of shift systems to meet the terms of the New Deal 9,10 , 20–24 and positively acknowledge their effects in terms of junior doctors' welfare, 22,25 education 22,26 and increased opportunity for flexible, part‐time and family friendly working arrangements. The evidence for the success of shift working is, however, in dispute: the findings of other studies 14,16 , 17,27–32 suggest that this way of working leads to increased job dissatisfaction and 14,30 , 33 −35 disruption to quality of life, 28,31 , 34,36 compromises training 29,37 and that it may not necessarily improve the welfare of doctors 14,30 , 32,35 , 38 .…”