Multiple reports say hospital midwives in England tell regulators they were required to work double shifts and stay awake for extended periods. The claims are referenced in coverage linked to a major probe involving the Care Quality Commission (CQC). According to the accounts cited by the outlets, staff report that shift patterns were managed in ways that resulted in being awake for more than 24 hours, described as “dangerous.” The Independent’s report frames the issue as NHS midwives being instructed to work “double shifts” without adequate rest. The Mirror similarly reports that a major NHS investigation finds midwives were made to work double shifts and remain awake for up to 24 hours or more, based on what staff told the inspectorate. The articles present the same underlying concern: staffing arrangements and scheduling practices that may compromise rest and safety. Both sources attribute the information to staff feedback recorded as part of the regulatory review, without providing detailed location-by-location staffing data in the excerpts provided.