Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Staff

10:00 am

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in implementing the European Working Time Directive for Non Consultant Hospital Doctors; the manpower implications this will have on small hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29513/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Compliance with European Working Time Directive is a challenge to hospitals and to the HSE in relation to the employment of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). Compliance with the directive is good for patient safety. It serves no good purpose to have over-stretched, over-tired junior doctors treating patients. It is particularly important in smaller hospitals, where there may be a greater tendency to rely on overtime, that progression to EWTD compliance is a priority.

As the precise level of progress made is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. I can confirm that significant progress on compliance has been made in recent years, in particular the past 12 months, following implementation of Labour Court Recommendation No. 19559, which provided for the introduction of EWTD compliant work patterns, rotas, rosters and on-call arrangements for NCHDs. In the short term further progress may be affected by the current shortage of NCHDs.

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