LOOMING DOCTOR CRISIS AT JOBURG HOSPITAL

There is a looming doctor crisis at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) as specialist doctors threaten to leave because overtime pay has been cut and private work curtailed.

The hospital has moved many doctors to a lower overtime level, resulting in an effective monthly salary cut of R5 000 to R10 000.

Specialist doctors have also been hit by the removal of the RWOPS (Remunerative Work Outside Public Sector) policy which allowed for private work to supplement the state salary.

Gynaecologists, obstetricians and  anaesthetists are threatening to resign, which will hit patients hard.

Whilst there has been some abuse on overtime and private work, the hospital has taken a very crude approach that is unfair and counter-productive.

Hospital management seems hell bent on cutting costs at the expense of patient care and academic training.

Without specialists, there will be a collapse in the training of new doctors and the hospital will lose its academic status.

Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo must intervene urgently, otherwise this proud hospital may never recover from a crucial loss of expertise.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, April 17 2013

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