14 Jun 2021
MH 78:44/1
REVISED IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE FOR THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACT (HCSA)1. This circular informs all licensees under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (PHMCA) and Private Ambulance Operators on:-
i. Deferring the implementation of Phase 1 regulations under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) from September 2021 to 3 January 2022; and
ii. Deferring the implementation of measles and diphtheria immunity requirements from September 2021 to 3 January 2022.
DEFERRING HCSA PHASE 1 IMPLEMENTATION TO JANUARY 2022 2. HCSA was earlier planned to replace the PHMCA in phases starting with Phase 1 in September 2021. However, to allow healthcare institutions to better focus its efforts in managing the recent surge in COVID-19 cases first, MOH is deferring the implementation of Phase 1 HCSA regulations (Table 1) from September 2021 to 3 January 2022. The implementation timelines for Phases 2 and 3 will also be deferred, with some adjustments made to the split of regulations between these two phases. We will share details on Phases 2 and 3 at a later date.
Table 1: Phase 1 HCSA Regulations to be implemented in January 2022
| General Regulations | Clinical Support Services Regulations | Special Services Regulations | Non-Premises Based Services Regulations |
1. General Regulations
2. Advertisement Regulations | 3. Clinical Laboratory Service
4. Radiological Service
5. Blood Banking Service
6. Tissue Banking Service (cord blood) | 7. Nuclear Medicine Imaging Service
8. Nuclear Medicine Assay Service | 9. Emergency Ambulance Service
10. Medical Transport Service |
DEFERRING MEASLES AND DIPHTHERIA IMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS TO JANUARY 2022
3. In line with the deferment of HCSA Phase 1 regulations,
the implementation of measles and diphtheria immunity requirements is similarly deferred from September 2021 to 3 January 2022. All PHMCA and HCSA licensees must ensure that all their existing and new staff working in their premises meet the measles and diphtheria immunity requirements by
3 January 2022. a. For licensees covered under HCSA, the requirements will be enforced under the HCSA General Regulations from 3 January 2022.
b. For licensees that remain under PHMCA, the requirements will be introduced through PHMCA Licensing Terms and Conditions (LTCs), which will be issued later this year to provide licensees with sufficient lead time ahead of their enforcement from 3 January 2022.
4. You may wish to refer to www.HCSA.sg for more information on the various HCSA regulations. Should you require further clarification, please email us at HCSA_enquiries@moh.gov.sg.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully
A/PROF RAYMOND CHUA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES,
HEALTH REGULATION GROUP for DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
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