I HAVE a GP friend, living in Bristol. Fifty years ago he studied at Bristol University and then became a junior doctor at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).

In those days he often worked 80 hours per week, snatching occasional sleep on a cot close to the wards, "on call" almost permanently.

This isn't a perfect way to train young doctors but it's the kind of baptism of fire that tests resolve, commitment and the ability to work under the most stressful conditions. It also provided exceptional care and attention for patients. That early, hands-on experience at the BRI, working closely with highly qualified medical experts, formed the basis of my friend's expertise and resulted in him becoming part of a general practice that has served Bristol folk well for almost half a century.

Now consider this.

The European Union (EU) Working Time Directive (WTD) was first proposed in 1990, restricting the time anyone could work to a weekly maximum of 48 hours. By manipulating the legislative process the EU denied Britain the right to veto this directive and – in 1998 with the help of the Labour Government – forced its implementation on the UK despite widespread opposition.

A dwindling list of exceptions to the directive included trainee junior doctors. On August 1, 2009, however, they fell off that list and became subject to its provisions.

Then, in April 2010, a study led by Dr Hugh McIntyre at the Conquest Hospital of East Sussex, found that compliance with the WTD "may have contributed to a detrimental effect on the welfare of doctors in training". Prior to its implementation, one in three junior doctors had taken time off for sickness. After it came in, that number rose to almost three in four. The Royal College of Physicians noted a similar rise across England and Wales.

Two other reports found that the "shorter working week is responsible for a lack of continuity in care and a reduction in training opportunities... raising concerns that trainees are not getting quality training in emergency surgery". In addition "shortening rota hours led to more shift changes and greater chances for mistakes to occur".

Finally, there was no evidence that working up to 60 hours a week was damaging to the junior doctors who were expressing "growing alarm" over the impact of the WTD.

The Royal College of Surgeons report that reducing the working week to 48 hours had only worsened the situation in the country's hospitals and had almost entirely removed adequate time for handover of sick patients.

Who's got the right diagnosis? The bureaucrats or the medics?

Because I'd really like to know.

Trevor Colman is UKIP MEP for the South West, which covers Bristol.