New Deal for Junior Doctors

The New Deal, agreed in 1991 by representatives of the profession, NHS Management and the government, is a package of measures designed to improve the conditions under which Junior Doctors work. One of the key features is to place limits on the number of hours of work. By 31 December 1996, the maximum contracted hours for each type of working pattern worked by junior doctors was agreed as:

Although the New Deal has been in existence since 1991, many Trusts are still in the early stages of implementation. The New Deal was refined in 1999 in terms of shift patterns and rest requirements along with a new pay structure for doctors.

From August 2003 it is a contractual obligation for Trusts to ensure all junior doctors in training comply with the New Deal. No junior doctor should be working in excess of 56 hours. Strategic Change Unit has been working closely with Trust staff to ensure these obligations are put in place and that they are directed at all grades in all specialities, however PRHOs, doctors in full shift rotas and flexible trainees have continued to be a priority, due to the poor compliance figures in these posts at the end of last year.

The Northern Ireland Improving Junior Doctors’ Working Lives Implementation Support Group (ISG) was established in August 2001, to facilitate the implementation of the New Deal for Junior Doctors and move towards the European Working Time Directive, which will also apply to junior doctors from August 2004.

ISG plays an advisory role and works with Trusts, Boards and the Department to improve local compliance levels throughout HPSS.