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The SAFER Task Force

Background

The junior doctors’ Taskforce in Wales has been in place since the early 1990s, when the New Deal was negotiated to improve junior doctors’ hours and working conditions. The main issues under consideration have always been monitoring compliance with the New Deal, hours and rest periods, nature of work and skill mix, new working patterns, general facilities for junior doctors, catering, accommodation, education and training. The main issue currently is the European Working Time Directive; this will apply to training grade doctors as of August 2004.

Re-launch

In a bid to give the New Deal fresh impact and more ‘teeth’, the Taskforce was re-launched in February 2001 by Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services. It is now known as the SAFER Taskforce for Doctors in Training – Security, Accommodation, Facilities, Education and Rest (Y Gweithlu DIOGEL I Feddygon – Darpariaethau I Osgoi Gorweithio Er Lles I Feddygon).

See Members for list of members and Meetings for SAFER Taskforce meeting notes.

Monitoring

Monitoring has been given more emphasis by the Taskforce, as it is now a contractual obligation for both Trusts and junior doctors. Monitoring systems were guaranteed funding out of the New Deal money in 2001 and 2002.