When the telemedicine and telepsychiatry programs were first launched by the department, physicians were told that they would not have to cover On-call assignments. The department then decided to start requiring them to cover on-call assignments. The Department changed telemedicine working conditions without notifying the UAPD. A grievance was filed and the Department responded by notifying the UAPD that they were initiating a telemedicine on-call pilot program. That program failed and the Department concluded that they will not be requiring telemedicine doctors to cover on-call assignments.
We filed a grievance regarding Additional Appointments for Telemedicine. The Department has now said that telemedicine has a right to Additional appointments.
The UAPD met with the Department to discuss a proposed policy. CDCR has not updated the policy to reflect the agreed upon changes from the last meeting. Nonetheless, CDCR has added additional telepsychiatry sites without notifying the UAPD.
We filed a Cease and Desist regarding implemented changes to the program without notice to the union. The UAPD had a Meet and Confer with the Department to discuss the opening of the Diamond Bar location.
The UAPD has scheduled quarterly Telehealth Committee Meetings to address these issues.