Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is considering a pilot program to change nurses’ shifts to 12 hours in selected public hospitals.
At a recent ministry meeting chaired by Permanent Secretary Dr. Somruek Jungsaman, officials discussed staffing shortages and financial challenges. The Nursing Division proposed testing 12-hour shifts in one or two departments—such as inpatient wards and intensive care units—for three consecutive months in regional, general, and community hospitals.
The plan aims to address nurse shortages, high resignation rates, and heavy workloads. Many nurses currently work frequent shifts with limited rest, which affects their health and quality of life.
Supporters say 12-hour shifts could reduce total working hours, provide longer days off for recovery, improve continuity of patient care, and reduce shift handover errors. The proposal also suggests adjusting overtime payments so nurses would not lose benefits compared with 8-hour shifts.
However, the ministry has not yet made a final decision on whether or how the policy will be implemented.