Does this share my data with my employer?

No. Never. Shiftlyx sits beside the NHS system — it doesn't connect to it. Your rota stays on your device. We don't sell or share data with hospitals, trusts, or managers.

Is Shiftlyx an NHS app?

No. Shiftlyx is built independently by people who've worked shifts. It's a personal tool, not an NHS product. We don't replace HealthRoster, Allocate, or any trust system.

Is this replacing the hospital rota system?

Not at all. Your trust still manages your official schedule. Shiftlyx helps you plan around it — spotting fatigue risks, finding better patterns, coordinating with home life.

How much does it cost?

The core Shiftlyx app is free forever — fatigue score, shift planner, and recovery coach included. Premium unlocks AI Voice Planner, fatigue intelligence, annual leave optimiser, income forecasting, and more. £3.99/month or £18.99/year with the Day One Annual plan — 60% off. New users get a free 1-month trial of Premium. That's less than one NHS parking ticket for a full year of smarter shifts.

I'm not a nurse. Can I still use it?

Yes. Shiftlyx is built for healthcare workers first — paramedics, midwives, HCAs, theatre staff. If you work shifts in the NHS, it's for you. Other sectors coming later.

Do I need to invite my employer or colleagues?

No. Shiftlyx is personal. You can use it entirely alone. Partner Sync (Premium) is optional and only with people you choose.

Will it tell me not to work a shift?

No. Shiftlyx never blocks you or tells you what to do. It shows you the fatigue impact of each option. The decision is always yours. We advise, never authorise.

Does it work with my trust's rostering system?

Not directly — we don't integrate with HealthRoster or similar tools. But you can snap or enter your rota in seconds. The format is simple and consistent.

I work nights. Does this tool get that?

Yes. Night shifts are treated distinctly — circadian disruption is one of the four fatigue dimensions. Recovery Coach is silent after nights. The whole app understands night work.

The Optimal Caffeine Strategy for Night Shift Workers

When you drink your coffee matters more than how much. Here is the evidence-based timing.

The Science of Caffeine

Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain. Adenosine is the neurotransmitter that builds up throughout the day and signals sleep pressure. When caffeine blocks adenosine, you feel alert because your brain cannot detect its own tiredness.

The half-life of caffeine is about 5 hours for most adults. Drink 200mg at the start of your shift, and 100mg is still active at the midpoint. By the time you want to sleep, a significant amount may still be circulating.

The Night Shift Timing Rule

**The golden rule:** No caffeine in the last 6 hours of your shift.

For a standard 12-hour night shift (7pm-7am), that means:

**7pm-1am:** Caffeine zone. This is when your circadian trough hits and alertness drops naturally. 100-200mg at the start and a top-up at midnight.

**1am onwards:** Caffeine-free zone. Your body needs the remaining hours to clear the caffeine before your daytime sleep window opens.

What the Research Shows

A 2018 study in Sleep Medicine Reviews analysed caffeine timing for shift workers and found that strategic caffeine consumption improved night shift alertness without significantly impairing daytime sleep quality when the cutoff was observed.

The study also found that split dosing (smaller amounts at two time points) was more effective than a single large dose at the start of the shift. The sustained adenosine blockade produced more consistent alertness without the crash.

Practical Guidelines

**Before your shift:** A 90-minute nap plus 200mg caffeine immediately before starting provides the best combination of reduced sleep debt and peak alertness.

**During your shift:** 100mg at the start, 100mg at the midpoint. No caffeine after the midpoint.

**After your shift:** Avoid caffeine entirely. Your goal is to fall asleep as quickly as possible when you get home. Blue-blocking glasses and blackout curtains complete the sleep preparation.

Shiftlyx Integration

Shiftlyx's sleep prep reminders can be configured to include caffeine cutoff alerts. Set your caffeine preference in the Recovery Coach and the app will remind you when your window is closing. The Night Recovery Banner shows your sleep window alongside your caffeine schedule so you see the relationship.

**References:** Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2018; Centre for Chronobiology, University of Surrey shift work guidelines.

The Optimal Caffeine Strategy for Night Shift Workers