§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the average working hours of junior doctors this year(a) nationally and (b) in Coventry and the west midlands; and what the figures were for 1991–92 and 1992–93.
§ Dr. MawhinneyInformation on the number of hours worked by junior doctors is not available centrally. Figures for the average contracted hours of junior doctors and dentists are shown in the table. The figures for September 1993 are not yet available.544W
Mean contracted hours of junior doctors in England, West Midlands and Coventry as at 30 September 1991 and 1992
1991 1992 England 80 75 West Midlands 84 76 Coventry 82 76
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for reducing the working hours of junior doctors; and what discussions she has had with the British Medical Association regarding this matter.
§ Dr. MawhinneyOur targets for reducing junior doctors' hours are set out in the new deal guidance, copies of which are available in the Library. Regional office task forces support and monitor implementation of the new deal. They report regularly to a ministerial group. The medical profession is fully represented on that group.
The new deal is a joint initiative between the United Kingdom health departments, the medical profession and the national health service and was based on an agreement with representatives of consultants, junior doctors, the medical royal colleges and national health service management.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from organisations or members of the public regarding the working hours of junior doctors; and if she will name the organisations.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere has been a great deal of interest, from organisations and members of the public, in the progress made to reduce junior doctors' hours since the launch of the new deal in 1991.
Listing all those making representations would involve disproportionate cost.