Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an indication as to when the working time directive with regard to persons working in our health service will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/13]
View answer1359. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reduce the number of hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/13]
View answer1384. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to tackle the issue of non-consultant hospital doctors routinely working excessive hours without adequate rest or sustenance which could potentially compromise patient care and undermine patient safety; the way he will ensure compliance with the EU Working Time Directive; if he is satisfied that the Health Service Executive is making every effort to improve the working hours of NCHDs and to implement other measures to improve their working conditions which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved and safer delivery of services to patients. [37645/13]
View answer1557. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the issue of illegal working hours for non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38452/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1347, 1359, 1384 and 1557 together.
The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. This is in the interest of doctors themselves and of the patients under their care.
This is a complex matter. Amongst the issues involved, depending on the particular service, are changes to NCHD rosters and work patterns, greater use of Consultant teams, organisation of services, introduction of electronic rostering and time-recording systems and task reallocation between health professionals.
The Health Service Executive's Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address EWTD compliance. The Executive has established a National Group to bring a clear and urgent focus to implementation of the Directive, assessment of performance and site-by-site accountability for change. The Group has engaged and continues to work with management in each hospital regarding implementation plans and accountability. The immediate focus is to ensure that no doctor works more than 68 hours per week and that none work shifts (including on-call) of longer than 24 hours at a time.
I am keeping this matter under ongoing review so as to ensure that the HSE, to the maximum extent possible, reduces the average working hours of NCHDs and implements other measures to improve their working conditions.
