President of the Royal College of Surgeons John Black, said:

“The RCS are delighted that the EU have acknowledged the need for flexibility in working hours regulation with this new review. We will examine these new proposals and take a full part in responding. UK Surgeons and Physicians know that the European Working Time Directive has failed to improve work-life balance while putting patients at risk through diminished training and excessive shift handovers. The UK government have acknowledged this too and this EU review presents a clear opportunity for UK politicians to negotiate an effective solution.”

The review document may be found here.