HC Deb 06 May 2003 vol 404 cc663-4W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are being taken on by the NHS to manage the transition to the European Working Time Directive. [110944]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service is substantially expanding its staffing to deliver more and improved care for patients including compliance with the Working Time Directive (WTD).

These additional staff will help the NHS to comply with the WTD. It is equally important to change working practices, so that the additional staff are used in a way which not only delivers WTD compliance but also the extra service activity to meet NHS Plan targets.