According to a report published today by the College of Emergency Medicine (CEM), an increase in the demand and complexity of work has been causing staff sickness and burnout. The college warned the "unmanageable" hours are putting patient safety at risk.
The study of more than 1,000 consultants found 94% of emergency staff worked "in excess" of their usual hours. And half said they were regularly doing more than a fifth extra on top of their contracted time.
The report, Stretched to the Limit, argues that overworking could lead to serious repercussions in the ability of staff to deliver healthcare safely. It could also worsen the present workforce crisis in emergency care.
Ths study adds weight to growing concerns from unions and health organisation groups that A&E departments won't be able to cope this winter.
College vice president and co-author of the report Taj Hassan said: "Senior medical decision-makers in emergency medicine provide one of the most vital strands in maintaining safety.
"A failure to address these issues will compromise this ability and also further worsen the present workforce crisis."
Worrying trend
The CEM warned that because the work-life balance of NHS staff is so poor, existing recruitment problems could become a crisis. Another "worrying trend" the study identified is that 21 highly-trained doctors went to work abroad in 2012, which compares to just two in 2009.
Dr Andrew Goddard, of the Royal College of Physicians, said "an unmanageable workload and difficult working conditions" was making emergency medicine "unattractive to trainees".
NHS Employers chief executive Dean Royles said he plans to enter formal negotiations with the British Medical Association this year, seeking contractual changes to address many of the issues highlighted in the study.
"Doctors and employers have already agreed two priorities for these discussions: encouraging more consultants, not just emergency care doctors, to be present at nights and weekends; and addressing what is making other careers more attractive than emergency medicine," Royles said.
"These negotiations are an opportunity for doctors to modernise terms and conditions and to lead the way in changing how we deliver healthcare."