article_snippet.sent: In a stretched NHS, longer shifts are now more common, offering a cost-effective strategy.
article_snippet.sent: In the past the working day was divided into three, eight-hour shifts - the norm for nursing shifts for many years.
article_snippet.sent: But, as in many other industries, a move towards two longer shifts per day is now more common.
article_snippet.sent: The theory is the shift pattern offers greater cost effectiveness for NHS, in the form of fewer handovers, deemed unproductive.
article_snippet.sent: And for staff the change offers a better work-life balance, in the form of more days off, it has been argued.
article_snippet.sent: Ms Smith said the tendency towards longer shifts increases 'the potential for accidents to occur'.