The European Working Time Directive (EWTD)
This section is taken from HSC 2003/ 001 Annex 1.
This guidance sets out the key facts and relevant timescales of the EWTD as it will apply to doctors in training from August 2004. It supports the implementation process already going on in NHS Trusts following the HR Performance Framework (published by DH in 2000 under cover of HSC 2000/ 030). It reminds NHS Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and others of their role in ensuring doctors in training comply with the EWTD while maintaining existing high standards of care and service delivery. Finally, it shows where the EWTD fits into the wider picture of improving working lives of NHS staff.
In section 6 it identifies a number of supporting sources of guidance, which include two attached documents. One is drafted jointly with the British Medical Association, NHS Confederation and the National Assembly for Wales on moving medical working patterns to achieve EWTD and New Deal compliance. The other is from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on the key issues of cross-cover, skill-mix, etc. Also identified is the detailed information on the DH website on the EWTD pilots and the solutions they are testing to ensure EWTD compliance for doctors in training, and 'Liberating Learning' a report from the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans of the UK on clinical training. Section 6 also signposts related work, such as that on configuring hospitals and the Changing Workforce Programme, giving summaries and website addresses as appropriate.
Although the EWTD will not apply to doctors in training until August 2004, the changes are so profound that it is essential that the service takes full advantage of the preceding 18 months to prepare for change. Decisions will have to be taken early in the preparation phase, and this document should be regarded as the start of a process that -if it has not done so already -must get underway immediately in all NHS organisations. NHS Trusts must also achieve full New Deal compliance for doctors in training from August 2003, which will be an essential step towards achieving EWTD compliance
Practical guidance on achieving EWTD compliance
Delivering effective medical training under EWTD
Support for the Change Process
Other factors impacting on the working hours of doctors in training
Background on Relevant Initiatives/Publications