The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is aware of the issues surrounding the reduction of junior doctors’ working hours to 48 hours with the implementation of the Working Time Directive later this year.
This is a complex issue and different medical specialties require different solutions. In obstetrics, emergencies occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This level of intensity means that to maintain optimum performance, trainees can only work up to 13 hour shifts.
The RCOG is supportive of the move toward the 48 hour working week. Many maternity units are already compliant but a significant number are not.
As part of the solution, the RCOG recommends further consultant expansion to ensure compliance with the WTD and increased patient safety.
Notes
The RCOG and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health produced the report Children’s and maternity services in 2009: working time solutions on WTD compliance in July 2008. To view the document, please click here.