§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the working time directive within the NHS. [120237]
§ Mr. DenhamGood progress is being made. Agreements have been reached with the General Whitley Council and the British Medical Association, to cover all National Health Service staff on nationally negotiated terms and conditions, other than junior doctors who are currently exempt from the working time regulations. The aim of these agreements is to make maximum use of the available flexibilities to allow local arrangements to be established so that the Directive can be implemented smoothly without adversely affecting service provision.
In addition, the NHS Executive issued supporting guidance in November 1998 (Health Service Circular 1998/204). Further advice was issued on 20 December 1999, to clarify certain legal aspects, and continued support and advice is available to help local managers resolve practical issues that arise.
We expect all NHS employers to be in a position to implement the regulations in their entirety shortly.