Mater Dei Doctor Reported Over Taking Leave Because His Senior Wanted The Same Days Off
A Mater Dei junior doctor has been reported and may face disciplinary action for taking leave that he maintains is rightfully his.
While speaking with Lovin Malta under condition of anonymity, the junior doctor outlined the long process one faces when they need to take leave, having missed out on many key personal moments because of it. The process can also lead to problems rising with superiors.
“The issue in my case was that I got reported because, rightfully so, I had taken leave. The thing is, a senior wanted to take leave on the same day, and they expected me to stay working for an entire three months while they can enjoy their time away,” the doctor told Lovin Malta.
Having worked in various departments, the junior doctor explained how, as house officers, they are only entitled to 10 days of leave during a three-month rotation.
“When it comes to booking leave, it has to be approved three days before, on a minimum basis. This means there were many times I missed important bank meetings and other things.
“I once had no choice but to miss a funeral and a birthday.”
The process of booking leave as a doctor involves three people. Firstly, someone to cover your shift needs to be found. Secondly, the senior consultant needs to approve the days you are taking off, and thirdly, final approval from the chairman of the department.
“Having my partner living overseas, on another continent, it was impossible to meet her over the past two years, with this creating relationship problems.”
“We are still in touch, however not allowing someone to go see their family or partner or simply take time off is inhumane.”
He opened up about the growing pressure on doctors at a junior level to work long hours without rest, saying that taking leave is often discouraged.
“If a house officer takes more than 10 days off he will have to repeat the three-month training period all over again.”
“Apart from that, there is the constant threatening language used by seniors, threatening that they will report you and prevent you from progressing in your training unless you do the work they want,” he claimed.
“The system is corrupt and rotten to the bone. The current medical coordination should be fired and a new forward-thinking system is needed,” he said.
He concluded by simply saying that a job should never dictate how one should live their life, and the leave cover should essentially be the job of the medical coordination.
What do you make of this young doctor’s claims?
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