Can out-of-hours work by junior doctors in obstetrics be reduced?

OBJECTIVE: Against a background of concerns about the hours of work of junior doctors, this study examines how the night-time work of junior staff in obstetrics may be reduced by giving greater responsibility to midwives.
DESIGN: In the first phase of the study, the tasks undertaken at night in four hospitals were identified. In the second phase a nominal group technique was used to seek the extent of agreement among professionals about the appropriateness of postponing surgery to the following day in certain circumstances.
RESULTS: There were considerable variations between hospitals in the rate of obstetric intervention and the division of tasks between doctors and midwives. The panel concluded that many tasks currently performed by senior house officers could be undertaken by midwives.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there scope for reducing the workload of junior obstetricians at night through the adoption of an extended role by midwives.