"The department detected gross irregularities in the overtime claims submitted by doctors from Sebokeng, Kopanong, Pholosong, Far East Rand, Tambo Memorial and Natalspruit hospitals," said departmental spokesman Simon Zwane in a statement.
He said the rules were that overtime had to be authorised in advance and clear reasons be given for allowing it.
Zwane said measures were in place to assist patients at Sebokeng and Kapanong hospitals where doctors have apparently refused to work extra hours beyond their stipulated overtime.
Patients requiring emergency help would be transferred to other hospitals and the department was also recruiting more doctors for the affected hospitals.
The issue of Gauteng doctors' overtime payments has hit the headlines several times this month.
Earlier, the department announced that six Gauteng doctors were facing disciplinary hearings for allegedly abusing the overtime system.
At the beginning of the month, doctors at several hospitals in Ekurhuleni, and at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, threatened to stop working overtime because the department still owed them money for extra time worked.
Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
