Knowledge of junior doctors regarding the New Deal

Junior doctors' knowledge of the content and local implementation of the New Deal for junior doctors was surveyed in one English region. Data were analysed from 254 replies (response rate 60%); a majority (86%) knew that the initiative was intended to reduce their working hours, but detailed knowledge was lacking. Less than half could identify the correct limits on contracted hours for full or partial shift working patterns, while 73% knew that they should not be contracted for more than 72 hours per week for an on-call pattern, the most common and traditional pattern worked. Only 20% knew that hours actually worked should not exceed 56 per week. Only 13 of 114 doctors who believed their posts conformed to the New Deal knew the correct hours limits. Only 11% knew any member of the hospital local implementation group for the New Deal. The results of the survey indicate that junior doctors are not well informed about the details of the New Deal, or its local implementation-four years into the New Deal, this situation needs to be improved, especially as junior doctors are now to be asked to validate the progress of the initiative.