UNDER pressure junior doctors are being forced to work beyond their scheduled shift patterns to squeeze in their workload, according to new report.

The report presented to Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust board members on Wednesday showed the 80 per cent of the concerns over working hours during July and September were down to 'late finishes'.

The news could be a worry to health chiefs as the figure is an increase compared that recorded between Jauary and March when hospitals find themselves under most pressure.

The Guardian of Safe Working Hours raised a total of 60 instances where trainee doctors working hours were a concern over the final three months of summer, with 47 of those down to doctors not being able to finish when they should.

OUH, the county's acute NHS trust is responsible for running the John Radcliffe Hospital and Churchill Hospital in Headington as well as the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

However, speaking at the board meeting, acting medical director Dr Clare Dollery said the number of concerns overall had fallen from the three months till June.

She said: "They have concerns they want to raise about the hours they work and what’s being asked of them.

"The number of exceptions has been stable through quarter two but has fallen since quarter one."

“They principally relate to late finishes where doctors feel they must stay on working beyond their hours.

"There are then arrangements to offer them time off in lieu, or offer them payment in that respect.

"We are very grateful for the dedication of all our staff who at times work beyond their hours for the benefit of patients.

She added: “None of the exception reports related to patient safety."

The guardian's report also highlighted nine instances where junior doctors were unable to achieve sufficient breaks while on shift, six concerns over early starts, three concerns over working patterns and two concerns over inadequate clinical experience.

Between January and March there were a total of 54 concerns raised in the guardian's report with 37 of those down to 'late finishes'.

Chair of Oxford University Hospitals Dame Fiona Caldicott said: “I think the board should hear more about the issues about rota hours because for me the big question is about morale and motivation.

“With our junior doctors there are some who find the NHS very hard.

“I think after completing their training the NHS comes as quite a shock to some of them.”

In 2016 junior doctors in England took part in a series of strikes for the first time in 40 years in protest at a new contract offer from the government.