Junior doctors will no longer work 80-hour weeks

The days of junior doctors working 80-hour weeks have gone for good, it has been claimed.

Health secretary Andy Burnham announced the majority of these trainees will comply with the Working Time Directive by August 1st this year.

For specific reasons, there are some services that will need longer to implement the changes and the government will use derogation provision where needed, he noted.

Mr Burnham added the Department of Health is listening to any concerns clinicians may have and working closely with professionals in the field to help them.

Commenting on the rules, he said: “This is great news for patients and NHS staff as it will improve patient safety and the work-life balance of junior doctors.”

The UK is committed to help all trainees work and train safely, Mr Burnham concluded.

Advice on how to adapt to the changes and find innovative new ways of carrying out tasks can be found on an NHS online resource called Healthcare Workforce.