The Government today broadly welcomed a report by the independent Taskforce on the impact of Working Time Directive on the NHS.
Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, responded:
“Employers were clear in the review that patient and staff safety are our prime concern. We have no desire to return to excessive working hours which would be bad for patients and for doctors. It is clear that the majority of professional bodies believe the Working Time Directive has been implemented in a way that maintains safe and effective training of doctors. It is ten years after implementation of the Directive and they have provided the Taskforce with plenty of evidence. It is important this is shared widely. We wanted recommendations that give stability and enable effective planning.
“The participation of NHS Employers and the British Medical Association in the Taskforce means the parties have already been able to consider the report's carefully developed recommendations in the current talks about junior doctors’ contracts, particularly all the evidence and case studies showing how careful, considered implementation is key. It is through those contract negotiations that doctors can have a framework to work in that puts patients first and supports sensible working hours.
"Effective training of junior doctors is of course hugely dependent on the availability and presence of consultant doctors and, as we move ever closer to seven day care, having more consultants on site for more of the week will add to that training experience. The sooner we conclude the consultant contract negotiations, the better for patients and for those that care for them.”