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.

Why Recovery Coach Doesn't Ping You at 3am (And Why That's the Point)

Most health apps treat every user like a 9-5 worker. Shiftlyx knows when to speak and when to stay silent.

The Notification Problem

Every health app wants your attention. Stand up reminders. Drink water alerts. Bedtime notifications. Meditation pings. These are designed for people who work regular hours, sleep at night, and have predictable schedules.

For shift workers, these notifications are worse than useless. Getting a "Time to wind down for bed!" alert at 8pm when you are starting a night shift is not helpful. Getting a "You have not moved in an hour!" notification during an emergency in resus is insulting.

Shiftlyx's Smart Suppression Rules

The Recovery Coach uses three rules to stay quiet when it should:

**Never during shifts.** If the app detects you are on shift (based on your entered schedule), all non-urgent notifications are suppressed. No recovery tips. No sleep reminders. No check-ins. The app assumes you are working.

**Never in the 9 hours after a night shift.** Your body needs uninterrupted sleep. The Recovery Coach knows that a notification during your daytime sleep window can ruin your entire recovery. It waits until your likely wake time.

**Never between 9pm and 9am.** This is the default quiet window. Shiftlyx assumes you might be sleeping, might be working, or might be in the fragile transition between the two. It does not risk the interruption.

What It Does Instead

When the Recovery Coach does speak, the timing is deliberate:

**Before a shift:** "Your fatigue score is 68. Consider a 20-minute nap before your shift."

**After a shift:** "Your recovery readiness is low. Prioritise hydration and a light meal before sleep."

**On days off:** "You have two recovery days. Your current fatigue score could drop from 52 to 30 with adequate rest."

Every message is context-aware. The app knows what shift you just finished, what shift is coming next, and what your current recovery state is.

The Design Philosophy

The Shiftlyx Recovery Coach is designed for people whose lives do not fit the standard wellness template. It does not assume you sleep at night, eat three meals at regular times, or have weekends free. It learns your patterns and adjusts.

Most health apps treat shift workers as edge cases. Shiftlyx was built for them.

**References:** Shiftlyx Product Design Documentation, Notification Philosophy.

Why Recovery Coach Doesn't Ping You at 3am (And Why That's the Point)