Menu
30/07/2003
Overworked junior doctors could seek legal action, says BMA
Three out of four hospitals are risking legal action because they have failed to meet a deadline on junior doctors' hours, the BMA warned today.
A BMA survey earlier this month showed that over half of senior house officers and registrars are still working above the 56-hour limit, and almost a quarter are working over 70 hours a week. Department of Health figures show that only one-in-four trusts in England is completely compliant with the New Deal.
However, under the terms of the 1991 New Deal, junior doctors should not be on their feet working for more than 56 hours a week, or do more than 72 hours of total work (including time spent on call). The limits were initially introduced as guidance, and have applied to first year doctors since 2001, but they will now be contractually binding for all junior doctors.
This Friday (1 August 2003), limits on hours, minimum rest requirements, and acceptable standards of accommodation agreed over 10 years ago will become a contractual right for all junior doctors, says the BMA. Trusts who do not comply could have training posts taken away, and the BMA "is examining avenues of legal redress" for doctors working outside the limits whose trusts fail to take action to reduce their hours.
The BMA is also concerned about the measures some trusts have taken in order to meet the deadline. The same survey showed that many doctors do not believe their hours are being monitored accurately, and there have been instances of doctors being put under pressure to lie so that managers can be seen to meet the target.
In a year's time trusts will also have to comply with the first phase of the European Working Time Directive, which is even more stringent, according to the BMA.
Dr Jo Hilborne, joint deputy chairman of the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee, said: "We need to consign the days of patients being treated by dangerously tired doctors to the past, and this is an important milestone.
"However, despite the fact that hospitals have known about the deadline for 12 years, only a quarter have done enough to meet it. Nobody wants to see doctors being forced to take legal action, but because of the lack of preparation of some trusts, it could happen."
(GMcG)
A BMA survey earlier this month showed that over half of senior house officers and registrars are still working above the 56-hour limit, and almost a quarter are working over 70 hours a week. Department of Health figures show that only one-in-four trusts in England is completely compliant with the New Deal.
However, under the terms of the 1991 New Deal, junior doctors should not be on their feet working for more than 56 hours a week, or do more than 72 hours of total work (including time spent on call). The limits were initially introduced as guidance, and have applied to first year doctors since 2001, but they will now be contractually binding for all junior doctors.
This Friday (1 August 2003), limits on hours, minimum rest requirements, and acceptable standards of accommodation agreed over 10 years ago will become a contractual right for all junior doctors, says the BMA. Trusts who do not comply could have training posts taken away, and the BMA "is examining avenues of legal redress" for doctors working outside the limits whose trusts fail to take action to reduce their hours.
The BMA is also concerned about the measures some trusts have taken in order to meet the deadline. The same survey showed that many doctors do not believe their hours are being monitored accurately, and there have been instances of doctors being put under pressure to lie so that managers can be seen to meet the target.
In a year's time trusts will also have to comply with the first phase of the European Working Time Directive, which is even more stringent, according to the BMA.
Dr Jo Hilborne, joint deputy chairman of the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee, said: "We need to consign the days of patients being treated by dangerously tired doctors to the past, and this is an important milestone.
"However, despite the fact that hospitals have known about the deadline for 12 years, only a quarter have done enough to meet it. Nobody wants to see doctors being forced to take legal action, but because of the lack of preparation of some trusts, it could happen."
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 August 2009
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
12 September 2003
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
28 May 2010
Doctors Slam Revalidation Proposals
Doctors' leaders today called on the General Medical Council (GMC) to 'go back to the drawing board' and rethink the revalidation proposals for all UK doctors. In its response to the GMC consultation document 'Revalidation: The Way Ahead', the British Medical Association (BMA) said that, as they stand, doctors cannot support the plans.
Doctors Slam Revalidation Proposals
Doctors' leaders today called on the General Medical Council (GMC) to 'go back to the drawing board' and rethink the revalidation proposals for all UK doctors. In its response to the GMC consultation document 'Revalidation: The Way Ahead', the British Medical Association (BMA) said that, as they stand, doctors cannot support the plans.
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
18 September 2009
BMA Highlight Junior Doctors Shortage
A shortage of younger doctors is putting a strain on the health service. The British Medical Association (BMA) has uncovered Department of Health data which suggests that junior doctor staffing rotas in the UK were short by almost 3,000. The figures relate to the period up to the end of 2008 and the BMA fears this problem has got worse.
BMA Highlight Junior Doctors Shortage
A shortage of younger doctors is putting a strain on the health service. The British Medical Association (BMA) has uncovered Department of Health data which suggests that junior doctor staffing rotas in the UK were short by almost 3,000. The figures relate to the period up to the end of 2008 and the BMA fears this problem has got worse.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
