Basildon Hospital has helped significantly reduce junior doctors' working hours by creating five new posts.
But in the wake of the European Working Time Directive - which limits junior doctors' hours to 58 per week - Southend Hospital has admitted it would struggle with the requirements.
Breaches of the directive, which came into force on August 1, can result in fines of up to £5,000.
In August last year, Basildon Hospital appointed five pharmacy technicians to look after the management of medicines.
This meant that they completed many of the tasks usually done by junior doctors, saving 39 hours from their week.
Principal pharmacist at the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital Trust Julia Keating said: "The Trust felt these tasks could be completed by non-medical staff, while at the same time improving the accuracy of drug documentation."
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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