Doctors may be asked to work 11-day 'weeks'

Irish doctors could reportedly be asked to work up to 91 hours per week under the European Working Time Directive due to come into force next month.

Reports this morning said a Department of Health document on implementing the directive had stated that doctors could be rostered to work 11 and a half days in succession without breaching the EU legislation.

The directive was designed to limit working hours to 58-a-week, averaged over one year.

The Irish Medical Organisation has reportedly expressed amazement with the Department of Health’s implementation plan and has vowed to raise the matter at LRC talks today.

The talks are part of efforts to secure an agreed method for implementing the directive.