The NHS is ready for EWTD

Distributed: 31st July 2009

Leading clinicians and NHS services have been planning for the 1st August Working Time Directive deadline for up to 11 years and findings show compliance is achievable. This will see junior doctors' benefit from the same working hours as other workers across Europe because of advance planning and clinical leadership.

Tim Lund, EWTD programme lead at Workforce Projects Team said: “We have worked with 30 pilot sites across England that have been led by front line clinicians. The key findings are that many hospitals have implemented comprehensive EWTD programmes that support the quality of patient care and protect the training and health and safety of staff. "

A programme aired recently on HealthExec TV showcased the success of services who have been working towards EWTD for several years. Dr Deborah Kendall from NHS North West and Dr Diana Hamilton-Fairley of Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust spoke of the achievements of their organisations confirming that targeted support and clinical leadership has helped them comply well in advance of the August deadline. The programme can be viewed at www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/hetv.

Dr Deborah Kendall commented during her interview that: "NHS North West provide targeted support to the 38 trust within the SHA; working with clinicians, junior doctors and managers to develop tailored solutions to each service." Dr Kendalll went on to say that solutions are benefiting the patients directly as they are seeing not only well rested doctors but more trained doctors.

Guys' and St Thomas' also confirmed, as stated by Dr Hamilton-Fairley, that their trust has made huge improvements seeing increases in standards of care and a fall in mortality rates. Dr Hamilton-Fairley went on to say that: "the main lesson learned is the need for clinical engagement" and that "trusts do need executives to be signed up to this being a key priority."

Skills for Health – Workforce Projects Team; have led the national programme to support the NHS in preparing for and sustaining EWTD Solutions
Shared learning from the pilot sites has and will continue to help other healthcare organisations in their endeavours to implement and sustain EWTD solutions and Workforce Projects Team will continue to work closely with NHS organisations.