Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 5

Written Answers. - Doctor's Working Hours.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

31 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health the average number of hours per week worked by junior doctors in public hospitals; the average length of shifts; the proposals, if any, he has to further reduce the number of hours worked in view of the risk to both doctor and patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9519/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The basic working week for all non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) is 39 hours. However, they are liable to be rostered to work up to an average of 65 hours per week. The 65 hour week was implemented in 1989 following a Labour Court recommendation and in consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation which represents the interests of NCHDs.

A joint pilot study on unrostered hours of non-consultant hospital doctors carried out by a group representative of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board, the Irish Business Employers Confederation, the Irish Medical Organisation and my Department was concluded late last year. The study was undertaken at five hospital sites to identify the factors which give rise to NCHDs working unrostered hours in excess of 65 hours per week. The aim of the study was to pave the way for a structured mechanism to be put in place at hospital level to oversee the implementation of agreed rosters and to address issues leading to the working of unrostered hours. Discussions have been taking place since then between the parties to the joint pilot study and I understand that agreement has been reached on the detail of a mechanism to monitor and control working hours which will be introduced when other related matters which the parties are considering are agreed.

Under existing arrangements for NCHDs, no distinction is made between basic hours, hours spent "on-call" or time spent working while on call. Consequently information is not collected on the length of shifts worked by NCHDs.

I am satisfied that the existing conditions which govern the hours worked by NCHDs are broadly satisfactory. I believe that the mechanism which I have mentioned already will deal satisfactorily with problems which may arise from time to time in individual hospitals.