ASiT Abstracts

Abstract

The introduction of time-limited Calman training in 1994 significantly reduced the length of operative surgical experience for trainees in general surgery in the UK and the New Deal, published in 1991 to curtail excessive hours of on-duty, gradually came into effect at about the same time. Both measures addressed long-standing problems but there is concern that the additional 58-h limit required by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) in 2004 may have compromised the ability to deliver surgical training within the current time-scale of 6 years.