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<p>The new Junior Doctor’s contract retains the same maximum requirement for working
hours of an average of 48 hours a week or 56 if the doctor chooses to opt out of the
working time regulations. The contract also includes a fidelity clause so that trainees
wishing to work extra shifts offer them to the National Health Service first.</p><p>
</p><p>Further, the General Medical Council has recognised that some trainees that
do not work full time may have the capacity to undertake additional shifts and have
given their support for those working less than full time to do so. Previous advice
was that Less Than Full Time trainees should not undertake additional shifts.</p><p>The
previous contract allowed patterns of working that junior doctors' representatives
told us were unsafe. The new contract is much safer and includes new, stronger limits
on working hours and patterns. These include:</p><p>- the maximum number of hours
worked in a week reduced from 91 to 72;</p><p>- the maximum number of consecutive
nights reduced from seven to four; and</p><p>- the maximum number of consecutive long
days reduced from seven to five.</p><p> </p><p>The new contract puts patients first
by requiring that these rules apply also to any additional shifts a trainee might
choose to work, ensuring junior doctors are not required to work when tired and that
their overall working hours, whether they work for their own or another employer remains
within safe limits. These are overseen by a Guardian of Safe Working Hours in every
trust. Doctors can therefore offer additional hours to the same overall limits as
before but must work them within the new safe limits.</p>
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