§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the actions of Greater Glasgow health board in seeking to require junior doctors at Southern general hospital, Glasgow, to work 115 hours per week; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 15 October 1990]: None. The employment of junior doctors at the Southern general hospital is a matter for Greater Glasgow health board. In two cases which have recently received extensive publicity, I understand that the junior doctors concerned had contracted to work from 1 August 1990 a one in three rota, with prospective cover. This meant that their normal period of duty of 88 hours a week rose to 115 hours, including time spent on call, when covering while their colleagues are on holiday and study leave, and they were paid accordingly from the start of their contract. Greater Glasgow health board is currently examining ways of reducing the hours of work of all its junior staff, including those at the Southern general hospital, who are on rotas more onerous than one in three.