HC Deb 25 January 1988 vol 126 cc93-4W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what statistical information he has about the extent and regularity of overtime working by junior hospital doctors.

Mr. Newton

Information is collected annually on the contracted hours of junior hospital doctors and dentists. The weekly average on 30 September 1986 was 85.7. These are hours of duty not hours of work. According to a survey commissioned by the Independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body in 1985, average hours of work were 57. An employing authority may, by agreement with a practitioner, contract separately with him for additional duty undertaken outside his regular commitment. Information on such additional duty is not available centrally.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received in the last nine months on the subject of overtime by junior hospital doctors.

Mr. Newton

We have received letters from 45 hon. Members and 31 other individuals or organisations concerning the hours of work of junior hospital doctors. Officials and representatives of the medical profession are currently discussing the scope for achieving further reductions in hours.