Burnout Among Maternity Trainee Doctors Raises Concerns About Patient Safety

Maternity services require continuous medical supervision because complications can develop rapidly during pregnancy, labour and delivery. Obstetric and gynaecology doctors often work long shifts and manage emergencies involving both mothers and newborn babies.

The General Medical Council's 2026 national training survey identified significant concerns about the wellbeing of doctors in this specialty.

According to the reported findings, 70% of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees were at moderate to high risk of burnout, compared with 61% across all medical specialties. Around one in three trainees also reported regular sleep deprivation.

The regulator warned that excessive workload, fatigue and hesitation to raise concerns could affect the quality and safety of maternity care.

Burnout can affect concentration, decision-making, communication and emotional wellbeing. In a high-pressure clinical environment, these factors may increase the risk of mistakes or delays in responding to complications.

The findings highlight the importance of safe staffing levels, appropriate working hours, supportive supervision and an environment where doctors can raise concerns without fear.

The report does not establish that individual cases of poor maternity outcomes were caused by trainee burnout. It identifies workforce wellbeing as an important part of patient-safety planning.