I established the National Task Force on Medical Staffing in February 2002 to devise an implementation plan for reducing average working hours of NCHDs in line with the European Working Time Directive, to assess the implications of moving to a consultant provided service and to address the medical education and training needs of doctors in this context. At present, most front line medical care in our hospitals is delivered by junior doctors, NCHDs, most of whom work excessively long hours. Patients have limited access to consultant care. NCHDs will soon be required by law to work fewer hours.