Move to 48 hour week for junior doctors by 2010

Junior doctors’ working hours will be reduced from an average of 75 hours per week to 48 hours per week by 2010 under a plan outlined today.

The report by the National Joint Steering Group (NJSG) on how to implement a European Directive requiring a maximum average working week of 48 hours for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) was presented to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.

The reduction will result in a dramatic change in the working conditions and training of hospital doctors.

The report recommends increasing the number of consultants and moving to a consultant-based hospital service. The number of extra consultant posts which will be required has not yet been established.

Chairman of the NJSG, Mr David Hanley said the reduction would be phased in. A limit of a 58 hour week for NCHDs would come into force in 2005. This would drop to 56 hours per week by 2008 before falling to 48 hours per week in 2010.

He said the health service had to look towards a 24-hour seven day a week service which would include shift systems and different attendance patterns for NCHDs.

The report seeks to ensure that all NCHDs are in structured, recognised training posts. A National Task Force supported by local working groups in each hospital will be tasked with planning and implementing the changes.

The report highlighted that up to 17 per cent of NCHDs working hours are taken up with non-medical duties. "A service provided with tired doctors on lengthy on call commitments is unacceptable", the report said.

Mr Hanley refuted claims that the viability of some hospital would be damaged by this report. "The recommendations of the report do have widespread implications for the health service but hospital closures are not among them."

The NJSG comprises seven nominees from the Irish Medical Organisation IMO and seven nominees from the Health Services Employers Agency and was established in 1997.