Junior doctors' working hours can be successfully reduced whilst supporting quality of patient care, clinical training and the work/life balance of staff.

In response to findings from our national EWTD pilot programme we have produced a useful resource pack including posters and postcards which have been specifically designed around junior doctors. These will be made available for all trusts to display and distribute in junior doctors' mess rooms. For more information or to order your pack please email workforceprojectsteam@skillsforhealth.org.uk

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The national e-learning for health governance board have given their approval for a hospital at night e-learning training package to be developed and hosted on the national platform. Workforce Projects Team and London Deanery are collaborating to support the development of the Hospital at Night e-learning training programme for multidisciplinary teams. This will include 12 hours of e-learning content that will link across to training on the HaNbleep system.

If anyone wants any further info please speak to Annabel Morris 0207 953 0226 or Tim Lund 0161 266 2137

Next month's edition of the Calling Time magazine will focus the contribution of NHS staff and leaders in preparing for full implementation of the Working Time Directive over the last decade. Eleven NHS leaders have been interviewed about their roles in helping to manage the EWTD challenge. Calling time is published on line here >>>

Leading clinicians have spoken out this week about the EWTD being a lever to improve patient safety. Evidence and examples were shared from Guy's and St Thomas', the Homerton, NHS North West and the Hospital at Night programme by Miss Wendy Reid, Dr Diana Hamilton-Fairley, Dr Deborah Kendall and Dr John Coakley.

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Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust have been shortlisted for a HPMA 'Excellence in HR' award for their EWTD project which has been supported by Workforce Projects Team as part of the EWTD 2009 pilot work. They have been shortlisted in the 'Supporting Medical Staff' category, which recognises this project's contribution to medical training as their initiative had meant that more junior doctor time at their trust is spent in supervised training. The senior nurses also support the junior doctors, completing foundation programme competence assessments, and clinical assistant practitioners have freed up the juniors to spend more time on patient care.

More information on the Guys' and St Thomas' pilot project is available here >>>