When the telepsychiatry program was first launched by the Department of Corrections, psychiatrists 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 telepsychiatry working conditions without noticing the UAPD. 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 noticing the UAPD. The UAPD has filed a Cease and Desist regarding implemented changes to the program without notice to the union. There is new language in the State tentative agreement regarding teleprograms.
Multiple grievances have been filed on telemedicine issues at the prisons When the telemedicine program was first launched by California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS), 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, without noticing 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. There is currently no language in the union contract regarding teleprograms. The UAPD has proposed language to address concerns.