Flexible training must be made more available and more attractive to junior doctors to help the NHS meet the requirements of the European working time directive, a report has warned.

The study, conducted by a working group led by the British Medical Association, also calls for detailed guidance on access to flexible training and the rights of participants.

Under the proposals there would be an end to the distinction made between full and part-time training, with better childcare provision and easier access to help and advice.

"Flexible training is essential not only to the welfare of staff but also to the future of the NHS, and we'd like to see trusts taking a more long-term view," said Dr Kym Hildyard, co-chairman of the working party.

"The cost of allowing doctors to train part-time is tiny compared to the costs of them leaving the NHS."

The report follows a survey of the 39,000 junior doctors in the health service, which found that half, including 40 per cent of men, planned to work part time at some point in the future.

There are currently 1,700 flexible trainees in the NHS, most of whom are women with young children.

"I left the profession for four years and only returned when I had the opportunity to train part-time," said Dr Jo Hilborne, deputy chairman of the BMA's junior doctors committee and co-chairman of the working party.

"We need to move towards a culture where flexible working is seen as a right rather than a privilege."

The director of workforce for the NHS, Andrew Foster, welcomed the report but argued work would be needed to extend the flexible training programmes.

"We are determined to improve the availability of flexible training but the current contract [under which juniors work flexibly] presents a real obstacle; we hope to work with the BMA to overcome this," he said.