§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on what progress has been achieved in reducing the hours worked by junior hospital doctors.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe ministerial group on junior doctors' hours, which I chair, is making good progress in implementing the heads of agreement on junior doctors' hours signed in December last year, a copy of which is available in the Library. Task forces have been set up in every region and have already received guidance on the role they are to play in reducing the hours and improving the working conditions of doctors in training. Funding for an additional 200 consultant and 50 staff grade posts has been allocated to the regions, along with notice of 100 additional senior house officer posts to assist in the initiative. In conjunction with the profession, we hope to launch the full package of guidance outlined in the heads of agreement in the near future.