RCS president echoes calls for working time law review

Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) president John Black has become the latest medical industry professional to call for problems caused by the European Working Time Regulations to be addressed.

Commenting in the college’s latest newsletter, Mr Black welcomed the new coalition government’s commitment to reviewing the laws, which he states has caused a “crisis” in the NHS.

The RCS president said he has informed new secretary of state for health Andrew Lansley that the measures are causing many trusts to spend huge amounts recruiting locum doctors to fill rota gaps, as well as preventing junior doctors from being trained.

Mr Black expressed confidence in Mr Lansley’s ability to rectify these issues, stating that the minister “understands the urgency” of the need for change.

He added: “There are many difficulties to overcome but at last we are moving in the right direction.”

The current European legislation has also come in for criticism by the General Medical Council and British Medical Association in recent weeks for jeopardising the quality of patient care.