Effective surgical training is under pressure on a number of fronts. There are growing demands from the nHs to increase service commitment and targets. The European Working time regulations (EWTR) and the introduction of modernising medical careers have both decreased surgical training time and surgical exposure. Wade and Henderson looked at the views of trainees with regard to the EWTR and reported that the EWTR have had an impact on trainees' training. These factors may compromise the calibre of surgical education.