Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2013
208. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of non-consultant hospital doctors regarding working hours and conditions and who may be forced to seek work abroad because of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4907/13]
View answer211. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to end the practice of junior doctors working excessively long hours in contravention of S.I. No. 494 of 2004 European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4944/13]
View answer225. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to ensure that doctors and medical professionals in the health service, such as non-consultant doctors, are employed on contracts with suitable rest periods and time off which is vital for the well-being of the medical professional as well as for upholding the high standard of patient care [5005/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 211 and 225 together.
The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the HSE the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue. In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission. The plan affirmed Ireland's commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period. It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including: the implementation of new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades, and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance. The Health Service Executive's Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address the issue as a priority, stating that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce, in line with the Implementation Plan submitted to the Commission in 2012.
The HSE is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan 2013. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken during the year in relation to EWTD compliance. A key priority for the HSE in 2013 will be a further reduction of average weekly hours worked and also a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken. S.I. No. 494 of 2004 European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive for doctors in training, provides for:
- A maximum 48 hour average working week;
- A 30 minute rest break every 6 hours during period on-site on-call
- 11 hours rest every 24 hours or equivalent compensatory rest before return to work; and
- 35 hours continuous rest per week or twice a fortnight or 59 hours continuous rest per fortnight.
The 2010 Contract of Employment for NCHDs, which these staff sign on appointment, reflects the above provisions. The contract also provides that NCHDs shall not be required to work more than 24 consecutive hours on-site. A related agreement between the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation provides that the contract is subject to the requirements of the Directive.
