Welcoming Professor Sir John Temple's independent Review into the European Working Time Directive (EWTD), Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said:

"The GMC welcomes Sir John’s report as an important contribution to our understanding of the impact of the EWTD.

“It is still fairly early days in assessing the full impact of the 48hour week on training and more evidence will be needed to ensure we have a full picture.  But the report clearly highlights a number of problems at the front line and, as the regulator of all stages of medical education and training across the UK, the GMC has a key role, with others, in ensuring that these problems are addressed so that the quality of training is maintained and enhanced.

“We will be monitoring the impact of EWTD on an ongoing basis, and we will make further evidence available as it becomes available. 

 “A great deal of work is now required by the NHS, MEE and others to address the challenges identified in the report, and the GMC looks forward to contributing to that important next stage".