Department of Health 'working towards a safer system'

We agree that patients should be able to access expert services seven days a week and they have a right to expect the same level of care on a Saturday or Sunday as they do on a Wednesday.

Not only would this mean better, safer and more consistent care and treatment, it will also mean better support for junior doctors.

We are taking action and working with professional associations to drive this forward across the NHS.

Patients need to know that doctors have the right language skills and we are already working with the GMC to develop a stronger, safer system.

The European Commission is also reviewing the laws affecting this and looking at how regulators like the GMC can play a stronger role.