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Doctors and the 48-hour limit
Most workers have been subject to the average 48-hour limit since 1998 but it was phased in for doctors in training (under a derogation that extended to 2011 in some cases). Doctors are also covered by the New Deal agreement which limits maximum weekly duty hours, maximum actual weekly hours (56), maximum continuous duty hours (full shift, 14 hours), minimum time off between duties and minimum off-duty periods for the different shift patterns and for doctors on an on-call rota. Minimum rest provisions also apply under the New Deal.
Working time in the NHS has been adapted through the Hospital at Night programme. In NHS Scotland, for example, it involved reviewing the roles and tasks of junior doctors to ensure patient care and flow were maintained; competency-based training to allow healthcare support workers to take on task-related work previously done by junior doctors; and the re-definition of roles and boundaries.