Mandatory 42-Hour Work Week and Restrictions on Private Practice: New SOP for Government Doctors in West Bengal

The West Bengal Health Department has introduced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for government doctors, aiming to streamline duty rosters, improve patient care, and optimize available manpower. These guidelines, issued on January 3, 2025, mandate significant changes in working hours, private practice, and duty protocols in government hospitals and medical colleges.

Key Highlights of the New SOP

1. Mandatory 42-Hour Work Week

All government doctors, including medical officers and faculty in medical colleges, must now adhere to a minimum of 42 working hours per week. This ensures better utilization of manpower and qualitative patient care services.

2. No Private Practice During Duty Hours

Doctors are strictly prohibited from engaging in private practice during their designated duty hours. This measure seeks to enhance their focus on public healthcare services.

3. Rotational Duties and Night Shifts

  • Each faculty member is required to take part in rotational Sunday duties.
  • Night shifts are restricted to one 12-hour shift per week to ensure work-life balance and prevent burnout.

4. Presence in Critical Departments

Doctors must remain present in essential departments like the central laboratory and radiology beyond regular hours. This ensures the continuous availability of healthcare services, particularly during emergencies.

5. Emergency and On-Call Duties

  • Assistant Professors will take on responsibilities such as emergency, on-call, and floor duties, previously handled by RMO-CTs.
  • Faculties must attend OPDs and make morning and evening rounds in IPD and emergency wards on admission days.

Guidelines for Duty Roster Preparation

The SOP reiterates guidelines from earlier notices (dated 2011, 2018, and 2022) for duty roster preparation:

  • Duty shifts should not exceed 8 hours during day/evening shifts and 12 hours during night shifts, wherever feasible.
  • Emergency departments must have at least two medical officers on duty during evening and night shifts to maintain seamless patient care.
  • Weekly duty rosters should be prominently displayed in outdoor, indoor, emergency, and diagnostic service areas.

Ensuring Compliance

The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) in each district will monitor adherence to these guidelines, ensuring that duty rosters are strictly followed. Weekly compliance reports will be submitted to the Directorate of Health Services.

Why These Changes Matter

These SOPs aim to enhance the efficiency of government healthcare facilities while ensuring doctors have a manageable workload. By focusing on patient care, reducing excessive night shifts, and enforcing accountability, the West Bengal Health Department seeks to improve the quality of public healthcare.

To register for our next masterclass please click here https://linktr.ee/docpreneur

Melbourne, Australia
(Sat - Thursday)
(10am - 05 pm)