Night Calls in Public Healthcare System

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the average number of night calls per month for a junior doctor in the public healthcare system; and (b) what are the long-term measures implemented by the public healthcare sector to ensure that doctors have adequate rest after receiving such calls.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: On average, a house officer is allocated about five night calls per month. With the implementation of the residency system of specialist training in July 2010, residents' duty hours are now subjected to a limit of 80 hours per week, averaged over a four-week period. In 2010, 91% of residents kept to this limit. To ensure that junior doctors have adequate time for rest and personal activities, a minimum of 10 hours of rest between all duty periods, including after a night call, is also enforced.

Senior doctors of restructured hospitals have been alerted to recognise the signs of fatigue and sleep deprivation in staff under their supervision. This is to prevent and mitigate the potential negative effects of inadequate rest on learning as well as patient care.

MOH is committed to promoting the well-being of junior doctors as well as the safety of patients; and will continue to work with the restructured hospitals to achieve this.

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