WIREDGOV

Issued by the News Distribution Service on behalf of NHS Medical Education England (MEE)

Professor Sir John Temple has launched his report ‘Time for Training’, an independent review of the impact of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on the quality of training for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and healthcare scientists.

The report was commissioned by Medical Education England (MEE) at the request of the former Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson.

Sir John’s report concludes that high quality training can be delivered within the reduced number of hours available but fails if trainees:

• have the major role in providing out of hours service;
• are poorly supervised; or
• have limited access to learning.

‘Time for Training’ focuses on the quality of training provided now and says any current problems will not be solved by either increasing hours or lengthening training programmes.

The Review reveals that, despite an increase of more than 60 percent in consultant numbers over the past ten years, hospitals remain too reliant on junior doctors to provide out of hours services.

Sir John recommends a move to a consultant delivered service, with consultants working more flexibly and more directly responsible for care around the clock, leading to better quality of diagnosis, better decision making and better patient outcomes and safety.

Some specialties, such as obstetrics and paediatrics, have already moved to more flexible consultant working, allowing trainees to gain the right experience under supervision.

Redesigning services to provide safer and better patient care can also support better training. There are already examples from around the country where this is happening.

Sir John said: "I recognise that the EWTD may be reviewed in due course. However, the transformation of training needed now is paramount and must be addressed regardless of any modifications in order to produce well-trained professionals for the future.
He said: ‘Training is patient safety for the next 30 years."

Professor Sir Christopher Edwards, Chairman of MEE, said: "Sir John, supported by an expert advisory panel, has taken extensive oral and written evidence and has produced an excellent report.
Sir Christopher said: ‘The findings were presented to a recent meeting of the MEE Board and there was overwhelming support for the report."

He said: "As the report makes clear, even if the EWTD is reviewed in due course we need to ensure that we are providing a safe service with properly rested doctors. We must have a system where doctors are properly trained and those training them are properly supported."

Ends

For further information please contact either Richard Green or Monica Barten at MEE:

richard.green@dh.gsi.gov.uk 0207 972 5053/07818 588718
monica.barten@dh.gsi.gov.uk 0207 972 5090/07525 622399

Notes for editors: MEE provides independent expert advice to ministers and input into the policy-making process on the content and structure of professional education and training as it relates to doctors, dental teams, healthcare scientists and technologists, and pharmacy teams, and on the quality of workforce planning for these groups.

Last year, Medical Education England (MEE) was asked by the then Secretary of State for Health to commission a review of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) in relation to its impact on the quality of postgraduate training, ensuring that there was consultation with all relevant partners and then advising accordingly.

Professor Sir John Temple graduated from Liverpool Medical School with an Honours degree and a distinction in surgery. He is a former Postgraduate Dean in the West Midlands and chaired the UK Committee of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD).

He became a member, and subsequently president, of the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He has served on and led numerous academic, educational and other professional bodies and holds Honorary Fellowships, or the equivalent, of 14 colleges and associations in 10 countries.

The members of the EWTD Expert Group, chaired by Sir John, were:

• Christine Outram, MEE Managing Director
• Professor Wendy Reid, Postgraduate Dean for London and the Department of Health’s National Clinical Advisor for EWTD
• Professor Jackie Hayden, Chair of the English Postgraduate Deans
• Hugh Bradby, Medical Director, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
• Andrew Foster, Chief Executive, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust
• Professor Sir Neil Douglas, Chair, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• Doctor Shree Datta, Chair, Junior Doctors Committee, British Medical Association
• Doctor Damian Roland, Vice Chair, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Trainee Doctors Group
• Trevor Beswick, Director, South West Medicines Information and Training, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Contacts:

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