In response to the task force report, I have set out a programme of action which will enable patients to be treated by a larger number of senior doctors working within a reorganised hospital system. Patient care will be the responsibility of teams of consultants, supported by junior doctors working safer hours in an improved training system. Non-consultant or junior hospital doctors have played a key role in service delivery in the hospital system for many years. More than 4,000 junior doctors currently deliver front line services in more than 40 public acute hospitals and numerous other health agencies. Junior doctors work an average of 75 hours a week on-site, while many work considerably longer, often for extended periods without rest.