Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has urged Scotland's health boards to act on recommendations from Audit Scotland about the financial impact of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD).

The EWTD will set a 48-hour working week limit on junior doctors, and NHS boards must be fully compliant by August 2009. Boards will need to make other arrangements, such as hiring locums, to cover junior doctors’ hours that are over the 48-hour limit or face financial penalties for not complying.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said:

"This report is yet another reminder that Scotland's health boards are not fully prepared for the implementation of the EWTD in August next year.

"With less than 250 days to go, the BMA has already found it necessary to remind health boards of their lack of preparedness for the introduction of the Working Time Directive. This is a very worrying state of affairs.

"The Government must work with Scotland's health boards and reassure the public that a tighter financial settlement and the implementation of the EWTD will not compromise patient care."