BMA policy on the EWTD and EU proposals to amend the Directive
October 2008
A summary of the BMA's position on the EWTD and the recent proposals to amend the Directive has been developed following membership surveys and debate at the BMA Annual Representative Meeting.
This summary document serves to present current British Medical Association (BMA) policy on the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) as formulated by the 2008 survey of BMA members and
reinforced at the Annual Representative Meeting of July 2008.
The European Working Time Directive is essential health and safety legislation that is necessary for both doctors and patients. Better rested doctors provide better patient care and the ability
of doctors to learn is vastly improved when they are well rested.
The BMA supports doctors who wish to work within the working time regulations, and believes that they should be protected from coercion, bullying or harassment by their employers or managers.
Download the summary in pdf format.
See also
The final countdown - JDC guidance to junior doctors to work out banding
EWTD guidance for consultants
Background information and BMA member survey results on EWTD