Follow-up Actions on Findings of Junior Doctors Being Pressured to Under-record Working Hours

Mr Leon Perera asked Minister for Health whether there are plans for follow-up actions in relation to published findings that some junior doctors have been pressured to under-record their working hours.

Many junior doctors work under stressful conditions, especially given the pandemic. They are important members of our public health team and MOH has always committed to help junior doctors cope with the workload, learn, grow as clinicians and have a meaningful career in healthcare.

To monitor the work hours and well-being of junior doctors, healthcare institutions (HCIs) use methods, such as electronic logging and surveys. As the employer of junior doctors, MOH Holdings (MOHH) also regularly reviews other indicators, for example, late night transport claims which may indicate junior doctors working beyond logged hours. Based on data and feedback collected, no systemic under-reporting of working hours has been detected so far in our public healthcare institutions.

In addition, MOHH has a whistle blowing channel where all junior doctors can anonymously report incidents of wrongful workplace practice. MOHH takes such feedback seriously and will investigate. MOHH is also studying alternative ways to collect data on doctor work hours to enhance monitoring of this issue.