Published: 14/02/2002, Volume II2, No. 5792 Page 6
The British Medical Association has accused trust managers of pressurising junior doctors to under-report the number of hours they are working in a bid to meet hospital targets.The claims follow the publication of the NHS performance indicators which show that 43 per cent of junior doctors in England are working above the maximum agreed limit of 56 hours a week of actual work, or 72 hours on call.A spokesperson said: 'The BMA has learnt of cases where junior doctors have been coerced into falsifying their paperwork.This means that trusts appear to meet their targets and face a lower salary bill at the expense of the junior doctors whose salaries are lowered. Junior doctors do not find it easy to seek help.They risk putting their careers on the line if they are seen to rock the boat.'
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