Sleep plays a crucial role in our overall health and wellbeing. As well as providing our bodies with the rest and rejuvenation it needs physically, sleep has a profound impact on our mental and emotional state.

A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that adults between the ages of 18-64 should aim for between 7-9 hours of sleep per night – but that a large number of us generally fail to meet that target, impacting negatively on our wider health.

In the healthcare environment we work in, sleep also plays a key role in our ability to deliver safe, effective and quality patient care. Studies show that those who get sufficient rest are less likely to make medical errors – meaning adequate sleep is also a key tenent of patient safety.

Those who get insufficient sleep can experience a range of physical and mental health issues. It is estimated that 30% of UK adults suffer from insomnia – and sleep deprivation is linked with increased risk of developing chronic and long-term conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders. Indeed, those who sleep less than 6 hours per night are found to have a 13% higher mortality risk than those who slept between 6-9 hours, making sufficient sleep all the more important.

This page serves to provide further information and resources about sleep – helping you to build better habits and reap the rewards from sleeping well.