§ 26. Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in reducing the hours worked by junior doctors.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyYesterday I signed an agreement with the medical profession to reduce junior doctors' hours. Under the agreement—the result of intensive talks by representatives of all the relevant bodies —junior doctors will move towards a maximum working week of 72 hours on duty—and preferably less. As a first step, the Government will fund 200 new consultant and 50 new staff grade posts in England in 1991–92 in order to stimulate the introduction of changed working patterns. The other United Kingdom health departments will be making their financial contribution in support of this initiative.