29 May 2009
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced a review of the European Working Time Directive and its effect on the training of junior doctors.
Johnson has asked Medical Education England to commission the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board to identify areas where training changes might be needed as a result of the directive.
Some professionals have expressed concerns that a 48-hour working week could have a detrimental effect on training.
Johnson said: ‘We want to provide doctors with a good work-life balance and we do not want a return to junior doctors working excessive hours.’
