§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evaluation the Department of Health has carried out, or is considering, of the combined impact on patient care, hospital organisation, clinical practice and use of resources in the NHS of the "New Deal" on junior doctors' hours and the training requirements resulting from the Calman report on specialist medical training. [HL3368]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)The New Deal on junior doctors' hours is closely linked to the Calman reforms. The New Deal has brought about significant improvements to the living and working conditions of junior doctors by ensuring that their hours are restricted and that they receive appropriate rest. This means that they are better able to deliver patient care and to benefit from their training. The Government have commissioned an in-depth national evaluation of the Calman reforms of specialist medical training, which is being undertaken by the Joint Centre for Education in Medicine. The evaluation, which is being conducted over a three-year period, includes an investigation of the effects of the reforms on service delivery capacity and quality of patient care.