Safeguards or Checks to Ensure Junior Doctors Not Pressured to Under-report Working Hours and Estimates on Rate of Such Under-reporting

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the safeguards or checks to ensure that junior doctors are not pressured to under-report working hours; and (b) whether the Ministry studies or has estimates on the rate of under-reporting of working hours.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Healthcare institutions (HCIs) use various methods, including electronic logging and surveys, to monitor the work hours and well-being of junior doctors. MOH Holdings also regularly checks proxy indicators, for example, late night transport claims which may indicate junior doctors working beyond logged hours.

In addition, we have a whistle-blowing channel for all junior doctors to anonymously report incidences of wrongful workplace practices. MOH Holdings takes such feedback seriously and will investigate the reported incidents.

Based on all the data and feedback collected, we have not detected any systemic under-reporting of working hours.