§ 13. Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyReports have been received recently from regional health authorities on the results of our initiative launched in 1988 to reduce onerous rota commitments. These are being analysed but it is already clear that significant reductions have been achieved. I intend to invite representatives of the profession to discuss with me, early in the new year, what further action needs to be taken to tackle the remaining onerous rotas.