The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is to join an independent review on the implementation of the EU Working Time Directive (EWTD). Chaired by Professor Norman Williams, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, the taskforce will focus on how the Directive has been implemented in the NHS and its impact on health professionals.
The taskforce will report to the secretary of state for health, Jeremy Hunt, in January 2014.
On the RCP’s inclusion on the taskforce, RCP president Sir Richard Thompson said:
Exploring how the EWTD is implemented within the NHS and its impact on the medical profession is an important and necessary piece of work. I look forward to the RCP working alongside other members of the group to examine the evidence and address the issues involved.
There is still much to examine on the impact of reduced working hours; including the provision of training, and more importantly, the continuity of care for patients.