§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many junior hospital doctors are currently working more than 72 hours per week;
422W(2) what is the average number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors;
(3) when he expects to reduce to 72 hours per week the average number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation on the number of hours actually worked by junior hospital doctors is not collected centrally. As at 30 September 1989 there were 2,567 junior hospital doctors in Scotland contracted for more than 72 hours per week. The average number of contracted hours for all junior doctors was 80.2. The objective is to reduce junior doctors' hours to 72 per week as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the hours worked by junior hospital doctors.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIn 1989 we introduced measures aimed at eliminating junior doctors' rotas more onerous than one night and one weekend in three in Scotland. Health boards have forecast that this initiative will result in the number of juniors on such rotas being reduced to around 32 per cent. by September this year. Health boards have recently been requested to improve on their September 1990 targets.