Government urged to delay changes to employment law for doctors

Posted 28/07/2009

A professional body in the healthcare sector has called for imminent changes in employment law to be delayed.

The European Working Time Directive (EWTD) is set to be introduced in the next three days, which means that the working hours of junior doctors will be limited at 48 hours a week.

According to the Royal College of Surgeons, implementing this policy now will add more pressure on the NHS at a time when it is being stretched by the swine flu pandemic.

John Black, president of the group, has therefore urged the government to delay the new regulations and allow people to work whatever hours are necessary.

“The European Working Time Directive leaves no slack at all in the system and if there is a major crisis it should be suspended,” he commented.

Media outlets including the Telegraph have issued similar calls, warning that the new employment law is “ill-conceived” even in good times.

The newspaper said this means that introducing the EWTD now would be “downright foolhardy”.