While fundamental change in consultant and NCHD contracts is a central part of the reform agenda, implementation of the task force's recommendations is not completely dependent on contractual change. For example, the following measures can proceed alongside contractual negotiations: a study of the structure and organisation of acute hospital services nationally, national discussions on measures to reduce NCHD hours in the context of the task force's recommendations, actions throughout the country to meet the requirements of the EWTD and developing ways of speeding up the recruitment process, particularly for consultants.