Military medicine and European Working Time Directive--can you still 'BE THE BEST'?

Abstract

The European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has been a long-standing controversy regarding the potential competencies of future healthcare providers on the continent. After its proposal by the European Commission in 2004, the government has stipulated that as of August 2009 doctors ought to be working for a maximum of 48 h/week.1,2 From the British standpoint, this stipulation is enforced by the Health & Safety Executive, and the Department of Health has also reinforced daily rest timings to decrease the stressful demands in the hospital workplace.1 A breach of these rules can not only lead to ‘improvement’ or ‘prohibition’ notices for non-compliance but also hold the potential for criminal prosecution and imprisonment of up to 2 years in crown court or up to 3 months and a fine of up to £5000 in magistrates’ court.2 Nevertheless, individual doctors do have an option to opt-out of the EWTD. As long as it is on a voluntary basis to opt-out and with the support from the employing institution, the maximum working week may be exceptionally extended to 52 h until …