Clock Is Ticking On Junior Doctors' Hours, BMA Warns, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 26 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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New figures1 recently published by NHS employers show that almost half (46%) of junior doctors are working hours in excess of the new 48 hour working week which will be introduced in August 2009 as part of the European Working Time Directive.

Mr Ram Moorthy, Chairman of the Juniors Doctors Committee at the BMA, says:

"The new figures on junior doctor working hours are worrying. The data collected in April 2008 shows that almost half of juniors are working in posts that will be in breach of new limits on working hours. Trusts have had many years to prepare for the introduction of the European Working Time Directive and it is of concern that so much remains to be done to bring junior doctors working hours down in line with the rest of the medical profession.

"There is plenty of time for hospitals to address the challenges of junior doctors moving to a 48 hour week, but it is important that the change is carefully managed so that the reduction in working hours does not negatively impact on the quality of junior doctor training or patient care. We need to ensure that junior doctors can acquire the skills and experience required to practise safely within the new limit on working hours. It may also be necessary for the length of time it takes to qualify as a consultant in some specialties to be increased, particularly in surgical specialties."

He adds:

"Trusts owe it to patients to ensure that they implement what is essential health and safety legislation which is needed to protect employees from working excessive hours."

1 New deal monitoring data for junior doctors in England were published by NHS Employers - http://www.nhsemployers.org/pay-conditions/pay-conditions-467.cfm

Background information

Junior Doctors working in pay bands 2A, 2B and many in band 3 would all be in breach of the 48 hour working limit that comes into force in August 2009. This accounts for 46% of junior doctors.

The key aspects of the EWTD as it applies to doctors in training are:

- August 2004 - the average weekly working reduced to 58 hours
- August 2007 - an interim 56-hour week was introduced
- August 2009 - a further reduction to 48 hours

In addition to a reduction in working hours the following rest provisions were introduced from August 2004:

- 11 hours' continuous rest in every 24 hour period
- Minimum 20 minute break when shift exceeds 6 hours
- Minimum 24 hour rest in every 7 days or
- Minimum 48 hour rest in every 14 days
- Minimum 4 weeks' annual leave
- Maximum 8 hours work in 24 for night workers (if applicable)

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