Doctors Concerned That NHS Will Fail To Achieve New Hours Limit, Scotland

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 01 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Doctors have warned that the NHS is not prepared for the introduction of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) limit on working hours in August this year. Although figures published today show that 99.8% of doctors in training do not exceed the maximum average of 56 contracted hours per week, data from the end of May showed that 38% of posts were still not compliant with the 48 hour working week. In light of these figures, BMA Scotland is concerned that, with just over one month to go, the implementation of a 48 hour week will see a massive rise in the number of junior doctors working in non-compliant posts.

Dr Gordon Lehany, Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Scottish Junior Doctors Committee, said:

"Unless the challenges of the EWTD are taken more seriously by NHS Boards, there will undoubtedly be disruption to patient services in August. We are also deeply concerned that, with a lack of planning, the quality of training for junior doctors will be threatened.

"We are worried that opportunities for trainees to find the time to learn new procedures will be lost in the rush to deliver services to patients. With reduced working hours, junior doctors need sufficient time for "hands-on" training to ensure that they have the skills and experience to become fully trained consultants and GPs. If the standard of training is not maintained it will be to the detriment of patient care, and this is not acceptable."

Consultant Numbers

Commenting on the announcement today that the number of consultants (WTE) has risen by 11.8% (4,248.6 at 30th September 2008 compared to 3,801.7 at 30th September 2007), Dr Charles Saunders, chairman of the BMA's Scottish Consultants Committee said:

"This rise is very welcome. The Scottish Government has to continue to invest in the consultant workforce if the people of Scotland are to have the consultant-led health service they deserve."

The NHS Workforce Information can be accessed here.

Source
BMA Scotland Public Affairs Office
14 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1LL