Junior doctors subject to Working Time Directive from today

The European Working Time Directive has come into force today for junior doctors, which means their maximum working week is now set at 58 hours.

Most trainee doctors working in Irish hospitals will continue to work up to 80 hours a week, however.

Intense negotiations are underway between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Department of Health on agreeing new shift patterns and rates of pay.

Spokesperson for the IMO, Dr Michael Molloy, today said that there are many factors to be considered in implementing the regulations.

“We want to make sure that when the directive is finally implemented, there are going to be no adverse effects to patient care and the continuity of care within hospitals, but also that the doctors will get a good standard of training.”