HC Deb 25 July 1989 vol 157 cc663-4W
23. Mr. David Martin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on initiatives to reduce junior hospital doctors' hours.

39. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on initiatives to reduce the hours worked by junior hospital doctors.

51. Mr. Brandon-Bravo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to reduce the hours worked by junior hospital doctors.

Mr. Mellor

The Government are committed to reducing further the onerous hours of some junior hospital doctors. There are two current initiatives. That launched in June 1988 aims to minimise the number of doctors with average weekly hours of duty in excess of 84. Interim reports from health authorities in January showed progress had been made but more needed to be done. The second initiative was launched earlier this month and involves studies to see whether the Government's long-term aim of 72 hours duty a week can be achieved within existing constraints. Final reports on both initiatives are due in October.

74. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of hospital doctors in the National Health Service now; and what it was in 1979.

Mr. Mellor

The information is in the table:

Figures, for England only, as at 30 September
1979 1987
Hospital medical staff 41,736 46,394