§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that casualty departments are adequately staffed after the implementation of the European Working Time Directive. [128214]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department has issued guidance on implementing the Working Time Directive (WTD), HSC 2003/001, "Protecting Staff, Delivering Services, Implementing the European Working Time Directive for Doctors in Training", and also on configuration of services, "Keeping the NHS local". Together, these emphasise the importance of innovative solutions to maintain local access to services while achieving compliance with the WTD. This is a local national health service responsibility, supported by the 7.4 per cent. per annum real term increase in funding over the next five years.
To assist trusts in meeting the WTD and to support increases in consultant numbers the Department has increased significantly the number of specialist registrar (SpR) training opportunities, including 80 in accident and emergency. I announced on 17 July 2003 that postgraduate deans will be instructed to give priority to hospitals facing WTD challenges when considering the allocation of 1,500 additional locally funded SpR training opportunities available this year. This will ensure that training posts are focused on those hospitals under the greatest pressure in complying with the WTD. Further training posts will also be approved where this can help trusts with compliance.
Successful implementation of the WTD will mean staff working differently. A programme of 19 pilot projects has been set up to develop and test innovative solutions to implementing the WTD. The "Hospital at Night" pilot project utilises a central multi disciplinary emergency team to provide cover across the hospital at night.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with doctors' representatives regarding the implementation of the European Working Time Directive. [128215]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department regularly discusses Working Time Directive (WTD) implementation with representatives of the medical profession both formally and informally. A WTD) implementation with representatives of the medical profession both formally and informally. A WTD expert group meets regularly with members from several medical Royal Colleges, the joint consultants committee, the British Medical Association junior doctors committee and the Department of Health.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Royal College of Physicians report on the Working Time Directive. [127709]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department is committed to working with the Royal College of Physicians and other bodies to achieve compliance with the European274W Working Time Directive (EWTD). To assist trusts in meeting the EWTD and to support increases in consultant numbers, the Department has increased significantly the number of specialist registrar (SpR) training opportunities.
I announced on 17 July 2003 that postgraduate deans will be instructed to give priority to hospitals facing EWTD challenges when considering the allocation of 1,500 additional locally funded SpR training opportunities available this year. This will ensure that training posts are focused on those hospitals under the greatest pressure in complying with the EWTD. Further training posts will also be approved where this can help trusts with compliance.