Junior Doctors Across The NHS On Course To Meet New Working Time Target, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 26 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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The overwhelming majority of all junior doctor rotas will be compliant with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by 1st August 2009, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

A small number of services, about three per cent so far, have been given more time to meet the Directive through derogation. These include services delivering 24-hour immediate patient care, supra specialist services and units in rural and isolated areas.

An independent scrutiny panel reviewed all services requiring derogation. The panel was chaired by Dr Judith Hulf, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and joint chair of the EWTD Reference Group, and also included representatives from the Royal Colleges, BMA, SHAs and NHS Employers.

Andy Burnham said:

"The overwhelming majority of UK doctors in training will comply with the Working Time Directive by 1st August this year.

"This is great news for patients and NHS staff as it will improve patient safety and the work-life balance of junior doctors.

"People will remember the stories of junior doctors working 80-hour weeks. Those days are gone for good to the benefit of all concerned.

"For unavoidable and specific reasons, a small number of services will need more time to fully implement the Working Time Directive.

"This may be because the Trusts are relatively isolated from large population centres and so found it difficult to recruit more doctors or where hospital services are currently undergoing redesign.

"The UK remains absolutely committed to enabling all junior doctors to work and train safely, in compliance with the EWTD.

"We recognise that some services may need more time to be fully compliant and we will use the derogation provision where needed.

"We are listening to the concerns of clinicians and will continue to work closely with the medical profession and support individual hospitals."

National Clinical Director for the European Working Time Directive, Dr Wendy Reid said:

"Tired doctors are not safe doctors so this is excellent news for patient safety. We are also concerned for our workforce and the hours they work, so we are delighted that they will have an improved work life balance.

"It has been a difficult and long challenge to assure a maximum level of compliance.

"The trusts, SHAs and the Royal College teams are to be congratulated on their expertise, know how and perseverance in ensuring that rotas are compliant. We will continue to work with SHAs and Colleges to ensure solutions are sustainable."

Chair of the Independent Scrutiny Panel Dr Judith Hulf said:

"We reviewed applications from 62 Trusts in England and recommended 200 out of 202 rotas for derogation.

"We are pleased that the Department of Health has accepted our recommendation that support for Trusts to achieve sustainable solutions for working 48 hours, which has been in place since January, should continue."

Source
Dept of Health (UK)