During its work, the task force took particular account of two previous reports: the report of the Medical Manpower Forum and a report chaired by David Hanly on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors. Both were completed in 2001 and they highlight a consensus regarding the need for more consultants, new work patterns and fewer junior doctors working shorter hours. The reports pointed to the need to re-examine how and where we will provide acute hospital services in the future.