Calman and the new deal - Compromising doctor training and patient care

Since coming into line with European law in 1995 junior doctors are expecte d to work no more than 72 hours per week and the European commission is cur rently working to reduce the working week even further to a maximum of 48 h ours. Many junior and senior doctors have expressed concern over the traini ng opportunities which would be missed by junior doctors working a shift pa ttern to reduce hours. Using a confidential questionnaire we approached 136 trainees in a large teaching hospital for their views.