A hospital consultant crammed 15 months' work into a year so that he could look after his new baby daughter.

Dr Philip Hormbrey won three months off under a pioneering scheme allowing specialists to build up holiday credits by working flexitime.

He was able to take the time off after his daughter's birth by working extra sessions at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Dr Hormbrey said: "It was physically hard but it was well worth doing. It was great - an opportunity I would not otherwise have had."

Dr Hormbrey is involved in the scheme with fellow accident and emergency consultants David Skinner and Dr Rick Pullinger, part of the Trauma Team featured in the recent TV documentary. Under the arrangement, the three work extra sessions in a shift pattern to build up a "bank balance" of lieu time. They can spend the time off with their families, on travel or experiencing clinical work in other countries.

Mr Skinner said the scheme improved clinical care, divided up work more evenly and cut the stress of emergency wards.

Consultants normally work 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with a variable amount of on-call work.

But the trio's shift pattern allows for a senior doctor to be with patients from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.

This means the consultants not on the wards also get time for teaching and admin- istration.

Mr Skinner said: "We are now able to provide that continuous clinical presence and also get on with the other tasks. There is also a fair chunk of stress on the front line. This gives the opportunity to get away from it all if you have built up the hours."

The model could now be used across the country.

Story date: Wednesday 03 March

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