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BMA survey of members views on the European Working Time Directive

Final report
February 2008

Background
The BMA Working Group on EWTD undertook research to ensure that members’ views are represented in future campaigns on changes to working hours and to provide members with an opportunity to influence BMA policy on a vital issue for junior doctors.

The next phase of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) arrangements will be implemented in all employers across the UK in 2009. The BMA is aware that one of the most crucial areas for junior doctors is their training and we believe the European. Working Time Directive may have an impact on the quality of training received in the future. Junior doctors views were sought to help the JDC assess the effect the new arrangements may have on junior doctor training, professional work, the delivery of patient care and work/life balance.

Method
An on-line survey ‘BMA survey of members’ views on the European Working Time Directive’ was sent to 3629 BMA members on 15 February 2008 and a reminder email sent on 27 February.

This report represents all responses received up to 4pm on 27 March 2008. The recipients were all members entered under medical student, junior doctor, staff and associate specialist, consultant and GP trainee membership categories on the 15 February 2008.

Completed surveys were returned by 848 respondents between 15 February and 27 March 2008. This represents a response rate of 23 per cent (848 in 3629 respondents).

The percentages reported throughout this report are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of wider trends within the population. The responses have been reported as a numerical value of the total responses received and are indicated after each percentage stated.

The values reported throughout this document are only representative of individuals’ views. Unless specified the values reported do not represent national, department or trust level data.

Key findings

• Almost all (96 per cent) respondents reported they knew what the EWTD was, 4 per cent did not (q5).

• Over half of respondents (57 per cent) reported they work more than 48 hours per week in their current job (medical student, junior doctor in training, retired, unemployed and other job grades were excluded from analysis). Of those who reported they do not work 48 hours per week, 9.4 per cent had opted out of the EWTD working arrangements (q3&4).

• Less than 1 in three respondents were aware that on the 1 August 2009 all junior doctors must be band 1 (q6).

• Over half of respondents disagree that it will be possible to train a junior doctor in any specialty whilst complying with a maximum average 48 hour week (q7).

• Respondents were most likely (two thirds of respondents) to be concerned about the impact of the new EWTD arrangements for 2009 on the ability of junior doctors to gain the required levels of competency to practice safe medicine (q8).

• Three in five respondents agreed that junior doctors should be able to opt out of a maximum average working week collectively or individually (q9).

• Respondents were most likely (76 percent of responses by respondents) to report that the BMA should campaign to raise the awareness of the impact of a maximum average 48 hour week on junior doctors training. 70 per cent of responses from respondents also reported that the BMA should work with employers, medical colleges and deaneries to protect teaching time for junior doctors (q13).

• The one priority area for the EWTD and the changes which will come into effect in 2009 the BMA should address on behalf of members was to campaign to raise awareness of the impact of a maximum average 48 hour week on junior doctors training (q14).

A full copy of the report is available to download as a PDF using the link on the right.