Interns cry foul over work conditions

According to them they submitted a letter to management outlining their complaints, to which they didn’t receive a response.

In their letter they state that a certain amount of the interns are interested in anaesthetics, but are made to work in the emergency room.

They also raised their concerns over the fact that they have to work two to three weekends a month then return to work on the Monday.

Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, says that according to guidelines by Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) on the training of intern doctors, hospitals are permitted to use them as part of a pool to assist in areas where there is a need.

“The hospital in question had a need in the Accident and Emergency unit, and they were deployed there to assist. This did not interfere at all with their training schedules,” he says.

Zwane adds before they were deployed, hospital management met and discussed the matter with them.

During their deployment, they raised concerns and another meeting was held to iron out issues.

“Currently, the matter has been resolved with interns understanding the position taken by hospital management and all is well.

“It is also important to note that during the change in schedules, no doctor training or patient care was compromised,” says Zwane.

Adv Tshepo Boikanyo, COO for the HPSCA, says that they have taken note of the allegations.

“The matter has been referred to our Internship Committee, who deals with internship-related matters.

“The Internship Committee will investigate and intervene in the event that the matter falls within the scope of the Internship Committee,” says Adv Boikanyo.

According to Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Caucus leader, interns in general are grossly overworked with inhuman hours that can lead to loss of judgement and medical negligence.

“Their work conditions need to be revised at all hospitals as it is very unfair on both them and on patients,” Bloom says.