Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports of doctors working 80 hours or more per week; the steps he will take to address this in the interest of patient safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that approximately 150 of 4,638 Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) posts are currently vacant. This gives rise to some NCHDs being required to work additional hours from time to time. Under the new Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Contract agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation in 2010, NCHDs should not be rostered to work for more than 24 consecutive hours on-site. Furthermore, the contract provides that NCHDs who are rostered to work on-site for a period of 24 hours will only do so on a 1 in 5 basis other than in exceptional circumstances. In these circumstances NCHDs are to receive their full compensatory rest entitlements before their next period of work. The contract terms reflect the Collective Agreement reached between the Health Service Executive and the IMO on 22 January 2010. These terms also reflect the requirements of the European Working Time Directive and its transposition in to Irish law.

Compliance with European Working Time Directive is a challenge to hospitals and to the HSE in relation to the employment of NCHDs and the provision of services. However, compliance with the Directive is good for patient safety. It serves no good purpose to have over-stretched, over-tired junior doctors treating patients. There is an onus on hospital management to ensure that service are not being provided by over-tired doctors.