§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry into Great Ormond Street Hospital's(a) treatment of junior doctors' pay obligations while on rotation and (b) handling of junior doctors' working hours. [R] [158545]
§ Mr. HuttonIt is for local national health service trusts to implement national policy by ensuring they have appropriate arrangements in place for dealing with grievances/complaints, in line with national guidance, as part of good employment practice.
Under those arrangements, there is regular monitoring to ensure that rotas are satisfactory and that safe services are provided.
Great Ormond Street, working with staff representative organisations, has these arrangements in place and policies and procedures under which any concerns can be raised and addressed.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors' rotas at Great Ormond Street Hospital are non-compliant with(a) the New Deal and (b) the EU Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. [R] [158547]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department does not collect this information. However, I am informed by North Central London Strategic Health Authority that:
Great Ormond Street Trust has 44 separate rotas. 40 are currently New Deal compliant. Great Ormond Street Trust is scoring 87 per cent, overall compliance with the New Deal—above the national average—and continues to make good 1603W progress. 24 rotas are European Union Working Time Directive compliant and plans are in place to convert the others by September 2004, which is the deadline for compliance.