Safeguards or Checks to ensure Junior Doctors not pressured to Under-report Working Hours and Estimates on Rate of such Under-reporting

NOTICE PAPER NO. 959
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 14 FEBRUARY 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Leon Perera
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 1532

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the safeguards or checks to ensure that junior doctors are not pressured to under-report working hours; and (b) whether the Ministry studies or has estimates on the rate of under-reporting of working hours.

Written Answer

Healthcare institutions (HCIs) use various methods, including electronic logging and surveys, to monitor the work hours and well-being of junior doctors. MOH Holdings also regularly checks proxy indicators, e.g. late night transport claims which may indicate junior doctors working beyond logged hours.

In addition, we have a whistle blowing channel for all junior doctors to anonymously report incidences of wrongful workplace practices. MOH Holdings takes such feedback seriously and will investigate the reported incidents.

Based on all the data and feedback collected, we have not detected any systemic under-reporting of working hours.