Dr Penna

Survey by Royal college of surgeons from nine hundred surgeons (360 consultants and more than 500 trainees) showed that European working time directive is not helping patient care. Results showed that lack of continuity of care is actually harming the patient care. Trainees in the surveys also felt that they have to do additional locum work to gain training oppurtunities they lost due to lack of time.

more detailed results of the survey

• 64 per cent of all respondents thought quality of care had worsened due to the EWTR.
• More than half of consultants believe compliance with EWTR has been achieved at the expense of patient safety (overall 44 per cent of respondents agreed).
• A third say handover arrangements are inadequate in their hospital and 23 per cent say they cannot stay involved in all stages of individual patients clinical care that require their expertise.
• 62 per cent of surgeons said they were not working a truly compliant 48 hour week with 70 per cent estimating they worked more than 48 hours – with these surgeons estimating they averaged between 55-60 hours a week.
• A quarter of respondents say other professionals in the healthcare team are acting up to cover tasks previously done by surgeons and 43 per cent say they are covering rota gaps in other areas of their own hospital to keep services running.