Key group of hospital doctors is working far above European limits on hours

A key group of hospital doctors is working far above European limits on hours, a survey by the BMA shows.

There are around 12,500 staff and associate specialist (SAS) doctors in the NHS in the UK. They are distinct from junior doctors and consultants. The BMA survey of over 2500 SAS doctors reveals that those on full-time contracts work on average 73 hours a week, far in excess of the European Working Time Directive limit of 48 hours.

Half the doctors surveyed are suffering from low morale and most feel it has declined in the last five years. Around one in five is considering retirement in the next five years. If this trend is applied nationally, it represents a loss of 2,500 doctors to the NHS.

Mr Mohib Khan, Chairman of the BMA's Staff and Associate Specialist Committee, says he has concerns about patient care if morale continues to fall.

"It is important that trusts are not allowed to use staff and associate specialist doctors as the easy way of dealing with changes to junior doctors' hours. Patients do not want to be treated by tired, demoralised overworked doctors, whatever their grade.

"I am particularly concerned with the decline in morale over the last five-years and the fact that so many staff and associate specialist doctors are working excessive hours."

The survey, conducted in May and June 2004, is part of the BMA's consultation with grass root doctors in preparation for new contraction negotiations. It questioned SAS doctors across the UK on all aspects of their working lives and illustrates the urgent need for an overhaul of the career structure for the SAS group.

The survey reveals:

• One in two SAS doctors surveyed says their morale is low or very low
• Six in ten respondents report their morale having decreased in the last five years
• Doctors are contracted to work a weekly average of 44 hours but in reality the average full time SAS doctor works 73 hours per week
• Three in four favour a complete revision of the SAS grades contracts
• Nine in ten respondents believe there needs to be better pathways to career progression for SAS doctors
• Nine in ten think pay should be more strongly aligned to the NHS consultants' salary

Mr Mohib Khan added: "This survey gives us the clear picture of grass roots opinion. SAS doctors are telling us they want a new contract that delivers increased opportunities for career progression and recognises and rewards their skills and experience. The start of scoping talks with the NHS Confederation are welcome and long overdue and we look forward to negotiating a better deal for doctors which will benefit patients."