HC Deb 16 March 1989 vol 149 cc333-4W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how far the target maximum of one night in three rota commitment for junior hospital doctors has been achieved in each year from 1982 in terms of (1) the number of such rotas and (2) the number of doctors working them.

Mr. Mellor

The information in the form requested is not readily available. The number of junior hospital medical and dental staff in England and Wales who were contracted for 84 hours (broadly equivalent to a one in three rota commitment) or less is estimated to have increased from 9,796 at 30 September 1986 to 10,724 at 30 September 1987.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of contracted hours of duty of junior hospital doctors.

Mr. Mellor

The average weekly number of contracted hours of duty of junior hospital doctors in England and Wales was 83 on 30 September 1987. A survey in 1985 showed that the average weekly number of hours actually worked as against on duty was 57.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior hospital doctors are known to have contracted hours of duty in excess of 104 hours per week.

Mr. Mellor

In England and Wales on 30 September 1987, 1,463.