We have made more progress in reducing junior doctors' hours in the last two years than in the previous eight

Susan Deacon

It suggested that 97% of pre-registration house officers were working 56 hours per week - compared to just 13% back in March.

Ms Deacon said that the statistics showed that "we are starting to see rhetoric becoming reality for junior doctors".

The New Deal for junior doctors which set the maximum working hours levels was agreed 10 years ago.

"We have made more progress in reducing junior doctors' hours in the last two years than in the previous eight," said Ms Deacon, who paid tribute to the partnership approach which had produced the latest figures.

Sustained effort

However, hospitals will continue to undergo performance spot-checks which will be carried out without warning.

Ms Deacon said: "We are at the beginning of a long and difficult journey which has as its primary goal decent conditions for all NHS staff.

"It will require a sustained effort by all if we are to ensure that the 'long hours' culture within the medical profession is eradicated.

"I am determined to see this through - for them, for patients, and for the reputation of the NHS."

Susan Deacon: "Long and difficult journey"

Last year a contract set a compliance deadline of August 2001 for pre-registration house officers.

Officials claim a big effort by health trusts, consultants, doctors and nurses has led to a "significant" turnaround in compliance levels.

An �11.5m scheme was unveiled by the executive in April to employ an extra 375 junior doctors.

The move - which will boost their ranks by 9% - is aimed at cutting waiting times and improving the working conditions of doctors in Scotland's hospitals.

Scotland currently has more than 4,200 junior doctors.