§ Mr. Burstow:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costing implications for the NHS of the Jaeger decision on working hours for junior doctors in the United Kingdom. [141577]
§ Mr. Hutton:The costs of implementing the Working Time Directive (WTD) are an integral part of modernising and improving national health services and of NHS planning. The NHS has been aware of the implications of implementing the WTD for doctors in training since 2000 and planning for it forms part of overall NHS planning. Strategic health authorities are currently ensuring that plans will achieve compliance by 2004.
§ Mr. Burstow:To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of the Jaeger decision on working hours for doctors on the ability of his Department to meet the deadline for implementation of the Working Time Directive by 2012; and what action his Department is taking to meet this deadline. [141578]
§ Mr. Hutton:The Jaeger judgment introduced unexpected case-law on compensatory rest. We are seeking legal advice on this issue and will issue guidance to the service shortly.
Implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD) is an integral element of the national health service modernisation agenda. We have taken vigorous action to equip the NHS to meet the WTD deadline. NHS funding is expected to increase by an average of 7.4 per cent. in England over each of the next five years. This significant increase includes provision for the impact of the WTD. In addition, £46 million has been allocated over a three year period on top of baseline funding to cover costs associated with the set-up of new ways of working. The WTD pilot sites are testing solutions such as extended roles for non-medical staff, multi-disciplinary teams, networking between sites and consultants working differently. Lessons from the pilots are being disseminated through the WTD bulletin, "Calling Time". Priority is being given to hospitals facing WTD challenges when considering the allocation of 1,500 additional locally funded specialist registrar training opportunities available this year.