HC Deb 09 February 2004 vol 417 cc1415-6W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the Working Time Directive on the work of general practitioners. [151699]

Mr. Hutton

The Working Time Directive (WTD) is an integral part of modernising and improving services at all levels. Strategic health authorities are responsible for planning for implementation by trusts of the WTD for doctors in training from August 2004, as part of their overall national health service planning.

There are a range of solutions to WTD compliance which involve changing the working practices of both medical and non-medical staff. In some cases this may mean changes to the balance and pattern of primary care provision.

Mr. Norman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish an update from the European Working Time Directive pilot sites. [152622]

Mr. Hutton

Reports from the Working Time Directive (WTD) pilots are posted on the Department's web-site at www.doh.gov.uk/workingtime/pilots.htm and on the Modernisation Agency web-site at www.modern.nhs.uk. While the pilots are underway, lessons from their experience, examples of good practice and other changes put in place by the pilots that may contribute to achieving WTD compliance are being shared with the National Health Service through the monthly bulletin, "Calling time".