§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the progress being made towards limiting the growth of junior hospital doctor posts in the North West regional health authority.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. At the moment the authority is only creating posts in the registrar and senior registrar grades with the agreement of our Department and proposes to prevent further expansion in the number of senior house officer posts in the region.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is his policy to reduce the contracted working hours of junior hospital doctors; what is the present practice of health authorities; and in how many health authorities the contracted hours are below 80 per week.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI accept that the hours of some junior doctors are excessive and that urgent action is necessary to reduce these hours. The Department is currently discussing with health authorities and the profession how this can best be achieved. Actual contracted hours vary widely between specialties and grades of staff and between different types of hospital. An analysis by district is not available.