Doctors relieved as new overtime policy put on hold

• Published date: 07 May 2024
• Publication title: Herald, The (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)

This is pending engagement sessions with all stakeholders which will end within six months, according to the health department

The decision was made after doctors did not clock in for overtime in public health institutions for at least two days from May 1.

It was reported last week that the doctors would no longer work overtime or agree to be on call — a move which could result in hospitals being unable to handle emergency cases after hours.

The department said it wanted doctors to claim for actual overtime worked instead of being paid a standing overtime amount, known as commuted overtime.

Health spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase confirmed yesterday that the department had decided to “temporarily suspend the implementation of a new policy on commuted overtime until an extensive consultation process has been concluded”.

He said the department met the SA Medical Association (SAMA) and the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) on Friday, where the agreement was reached.

“While the department has put the implementation of circular 34 in abeyance, management emphasised to SAMA and Samatu representatives that there is going to be strengthened supervision of the implementation of overtime policy by all facilities through the implementation of controls.

“This will ensure overtime paid can be accounted for. The move is meant to promote clean and good governance.

“The department had communicated through circular 34 that, instead of paying overtime to every doctor, contrac-ted doctors would have to work overtime and be paid after providing proof.”

Ndamase said this was meant to ensure overtime was paid on a needs-basis.

“However, at Friday’s meeting, it was agreed...