In order to achieve the target of 48 hours for Junior Doctors by 2009, the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust separated emergency from elective care. The teams caring for emergency admissions (medical, surgical and orthopaedic) are highly trained and multi professional with patients treated in two re-designated acute care wards.
Reconfiguring unscheduled/scheduled services and training to achieve compliance.
This increase of dedicated beds is balanced by a corresponding reduction in beds in other departments as there is better immediate care on admission, reducing the demand for general beds on wards. Compliance with the 48 hour week was achieved by separating the rotas to allow time to be dedicated exclusively to the care of the emergency admissions and to the development of skills in the base specialities. The split will vary according to the training needs of the doctors and their speciality requirements.
This pilot offers a team based model of continuity of care whilst preserving daytime training for junior doctors. The development of new roles for nurses and other staff will be enhanced.
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides general hospital services to Hackney and the City of London, and specialist care in obstetrics, neonatology, fetal medicine, laparoscopic surgery, fertility and neuro-rehabilitation across east London and beyond.
Challenges & objectives
Read all the latest challenges and objectives from the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Pilot
Working Time Directive 2009 
