Many Gauteng doctors still not paid overtime

30 April 2018  

Despite promises earlier this month that all doctors at Gauteng state hospitals would be paid for overtime, many doctors have found today that they have not been paid their April overtime.

I have received complaints from doctors at various hospitals who are dismayed by the short-payment of overtime, which can be about a third of what they normally earn every month.

It is unclear whether the non-payment is due to administrative incompetence or the Department’s perpetual budget crisis.

The current freeze on hospital medical posts means that overtime by doctors is critical in keeping services going, and should not be jeopardized by non-payment.

Payment problems need to be sorted out as soon as possible, otherwise disgruntled doctors will refuse to work overtime or leave state hospitals for other employment.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 30 April 2018