Junior doctors will work 58 hours a week maximum

About 650 junior doctors in 11 of Scotland's 15 health boards will be working more than the new limit of 58 hours per week.

The European Working Time Directive (WTD) came into effect on Sunday.

It was delayed by six years to give time to comply but staff shortages could lead to the rules being broken.

Tired staff

Health boards are liable to a �5,000 fine per breach.

And the British Medical Association is warning it will back any junior doctor who is forced to go over the 58 hour limit.

However, some health boards have said that it could be next year before all their doctors are able to comply with the directive.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "The executive is committed to the overall aims of the WTD.

"Fair working hours for doctors improves their working lives and means patients are not treated by tired staff.

"NHSScotland continues to work towards full compliance.

"Substantial progress has been made with 85.5% of junior doctors posts now reported as fully compliant which is broadly comparable with the situation in England.