Website of the Department of Health

Implementing the European Working Time Directive

The NHS has made excellent progress in implementing the European Working Time Directive. However, further support is available for those services still in the process of implementation. If you are the EWTD lead for your organisation, or a relevant member of staff you may be interested to understand the Department's perspective on the Directive by reading the implementation update below.

There will be a very small number of individual local services which for reasons beyond their control will require derogation from the Directive. The Department's proposals for this are also set out below.

• Letter (13 May 2009) setting out the detailed process to identify the specific services and rotas where a case for derogation can be made
• The European Working Time Directive - UK notification of Derogation for doctors in training (29 January 2009)
• The European Working Time Directive for trainee doctors - Implementation update (29 January 2009)

A guide to the implications of the European Working Time Directive for doctors in training

This document provides clarity on the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by giving guidance using the views of experts who have already considered most issues arising from the EWTD, implemented in the UK as the Working Time Directive Regulations 1998/the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and subsequent amendments. Where a definition already exists by statute or regulation, this is noted, but in other situations a consensus view is given.

• A guide to the implications of the European Working Time Directive for doctors in training

SiMAP/Jaeger

• The SiMAP ruling and the implications it has for the EWTD
• The Jaeger ruling and the implications it has for the EWTD

EWTD pilots

Doctors in training should be working a 48-hour week from August 2009. It is important that employers start planning now to meet this challenging legal requirement. NWP were commissioned as the lead NHS team to oversee the WTD 2009 pilots.

• EWTD pilots

EWTD additional information

Information on latest developments in Europe, publications, how to contact NHS lead organisation and other partners; key diary dates; recent speeches and frequently asked questions.

• EWTD additional information

EWTD archive

From 1 August 2004 the European Working Time Directive health and safety legislation extended to apply to doctors in training. This section provides guidance and good practice that was published to support 2004 implementation, as well as FAQs and pilot evaluations.

• EWTD archive