In recent years a framework for addressing these needs has emerged: the report of the working group on non-consultant hospital doctors' working hours; the report of the medical manpower forum; implementation of the 1997 agreement on a 65 hour working week for non-consultant hospital doctors; implementation of the non-consultant hospital doctors' 2000 agreement on overtime, which is ongoing and includes the work of the medical manpower managers appointed under this agreement; and the work of the national task force on medical staffing, which is also ongoing.