Working Time Directive 48h-Limit Won't Happen

[fortyseven]

Britain's European Working Time Directive opt-out will now continue indefinitly after MEPs from Britain and other opposed EU-members managed to torpedo the negotiations with the EU-Commission.

Here is a link to an article in the Independent:
EU fails to curb Britain's work hours opt-out - Europe, World - The Independent

I believe the opt-out prevents the 48 hour limit from applying for example to employees in the NHS. I think this also means that on-call time does not count as full working hours as that regulation is part of the Working Time Directive. Also, does this mean the preparations the NHS was making to accommodate the 48h-limit will be abandoned? This could have a rather profound impact, as the working time limit meant that the NHS had to recruit more doctors and nurses which probably affected the intake rates of medical schools etc. This probably also affects the restructuring of the post medical school training that has occurred over last few years, as it was done with the 48 hour limit in mind.

So how do you feel about this? Do you think it's a good thing? And do you think this will have a real impact on working and training in the NHS?