Docs ‘fight’ to get paid for UHK overtime

THEY are on the front-line of the battle against COVID-19, but junior doctors at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) say they face a constant struggle to get paid for the many hours of overtime they are working every week.

Acting on behalf of colleagues, a UHK Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) contacted The Kerryman in an effort publicise apparent problems with the overtime payment system at the county’s main hospital. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Doctor said that they and their colleagues are “at our wits end, trying to get paid for the work we do” and must regularly “fight” to get paid the overtime they say they are entitled to.

UHK’s approximately 50 NCHDs are rostered to work a 39-hour week, but the Doctor said most typically work 60 to 70 hours a week.

According to the Doctor it is not uncommon for these junior doctors to be paid less than 50 per cent of what they are owed for the overtime they have worked.

The Doctor said it was “regrettable” that the NCHDs had to go to the media to raise their concerns but they “feel it is our only option”.

They said that the issue is hurting morale among junior doctors at UHK and is particularly insulting in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Especially now with the COVID crisis, it is insulting to be asked to work for free,” said the Doctor. “As much as we want to care for the patients, you lose hope and motivation when you know you are not being paid for the work that you do, especially in these challenging times,” the Doctor added.

“These aren’t doctors on big wages that I’m asking the public to sympathise with. It’s young doctors with families from Kerry and beyond,” they said.

“The NCHDs at UHK are so frustrated, unhappy and disillusioned with this. Please shine a light on it,” the Doctor concluded.

A spokesperson for University Hospital Kerry said the hospital does not comment on ‘third party’ claims.

While the hospital would not comment on the doctors’ specific claims, the spokesperson did provide an explanation as to how the overtime payment system operates at UHK and other hospitals.

“When it comes to the remuneration of staff, some well-established policies and procedures apply. These include the following: the payment of all staff including NCHDs are governed by employment legislation to include the Payment of Wages legislation, and payment for HSE employees are set out in the Dept of Health Consolidated Salary scales,” the spokesperson told The Kerryman.

“NCHD’s work across the health services on rosters which allow for the delivery of a 24/ 7 service and thus are paid overtime when hours above the contract of employment are exceeded

“These rosters are monitored and arrangements are in place in all hospitals including University Hospital Kerry which Consultants validate the actual working hours of the individual NCHD as the roster provides the basis for the employees remuneration. Once the validated rosters are provided to the Medical Manpower offices payments are progressed. In University Hospital Kerry overtime is paid on a monthly basis. In the event an overtime payment is not submitted in a timely manner the payment will be made in the next pay period,” said the UHK spokesperson.

File photo Photo by Domnick Walsh NCHD junior doctors at University Hospital Kerry have raised concerns about difficulties they say they are having in getting paid for overtime work. Rick Leonard pictured watching TV at home in Tralee as events unfold in the US.