What does ADH mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

Additional Duty Hours (ADH) are additional working hours assigned to junior medical practitioners in order for them to gain experience in their field of practice. These extra hours are required in order for junior practitioners to get the proper supervision from senior medical staff and provide quality patient care.

ADH is typically assigned by the supervisor or head of the department in which a doctor practices. The amount of ADH required and when it must be completed depends on the individual hospital and its particular policy on doctor coverage and staffing needs.

The expected duration of an ADH shift can vary depending on the hospital's policies and requirements, but most shifts will last either four or eight hours. Some hospitals may require that shifts be completed overnight or on off-hours periods, whilst others may assign shifts during regular business hours.

Yes, there is usually some sort of compensation provided for completing an additional duty hour shift, such as overtime pay or extra vacation time. This compensation is typically set by the hospital's policy and can vary from one hospital to another.

Generally speaking, no — it is expected that if a doctor has been assigned additional duty hours then they must complete them as requested by their supervisor or department head in order to fulfill their professional obligations as junior practitioners. However, exceptions may be made in certain circumstances (e.g., if a doctor can demonstrate that completing the ADH would put their own health at risk).