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Surgical services in local hospitals will be maintained - McGimpsey

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has said that there are no plans to cut back on surgical services in smaller hospitals.

The Minister was responding to recent reports in the media that services could be affected by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). The EWTD is a directive from the Council of Europe to protect the health and safety of workers in the European Union. It lays down minimum requirements in relation to working hours, rest periods, annual leave and working arrangements for night workers.

Michael McGimpsey said: “All current service levels in our smaller acute hospitals, such as Daisy Hill in Newry or the Causeway in Coleraine, will be maintained. I have no plans to change things and any suggestion that surgical services in local hospitals could be reduced is inaccurate. Such scaremongering causes undue concern for people and undermines the efforts of staff who are working hard to deliver top quality care in the health service.

“My Department has made a considerable investment to allow Trusts to make significant progress towards full compliance with the EWTD and plans to meet the August 2009 requirements are progressing well. In finalising their plans for full implementation of the Directive, I expect Trusts to develop local solutions that sustain and improve current service provision.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. The UK has made considerable progress in achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by doctors in training. There are concerns that a number of hospital services delivering 24 hour, immediate patient care, some supra-specialist services and small, remote and rural units may not be able to achieve full compliance with the requirement for an average 48 hour working week by 1 August 2009.
  2. The UK governments intend to take up the option of a derogation under Article 17(5) of the EWTD, permitting an average weekly working time of 52 hours for doctors in training to apply to such services from 1 August 2009.
  3. Media enquiries to 028 90520579 or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.