Bleep

The purpose of this policy / procedure is to assist Directorates, wards and departments in making effective use of the bleep to communicate with medical staff. This policy / procedure allows doctors in training to make good use of their available working time for patient care and enables them to have the minimum rest periods, as required by the New Deal.

NHS Lothian recognises that use of the bleep is an essential tool to facilitate swift communications with doctors when required for patient care. Misuse of the bleep can be counter-productive, leading to an inefficient use of time. NHS Lothian acknowledges the need to allow doctors on on-call rotas or partial shifts to have the minimum rest periods under the  terms of the New Deal, and the Health & Safety Regulations of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). NHS Lothian acknowledges the necessity of doctors attending education programmes during working time. Use of the bleep must take cognisance of the demands of the service, training and education, the New Deal and EWTD.