Reduced hours for doctors will have one result: reduced services

THE dispute looming over hospital doctors’ hours is not complex; it is how can we reduce medical services in order to comply with the law. Currently the average doctor works well over the ultimate target of the European Union of 49 hours a week.

However, like it or not, this will be the legal maximum in the not-too-distant future; the first cap of 65 hours is due to take effect, as I understand it.

There are only two options for the jobs that must be performed by doctors - employ more or reduce services.