Handling of Disciplinary Cases (SMC)

4 FEB 2013

QUESTION NO. 997

Name of Person: Dr Janil Puthucheary

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what action will be taken to review the handling of disciplinary cases involving doctors; (b) whether the Ministry will study the reasons behind the large number of null votes cast at the recent Singapore Medical Council election; (c) what steps will be taken to strengthen doctors' trust in the Singapore Medical Council; and (d) what steps will be taken to address public trust in our healthcare services.

ANSWER

1          The Singapore Medical Council (“SMC”) has appointed a Review Committee to review the existing legislative and administrative frameworks for disciplinary proceedings involving doctors and to optimise and strengthen the processes so that disciplinary matters are dealt with in a just and expeditious manner.  This Committee comprises senior doctors and lawyers and the review is expected to be completed in about 6 months’ time.

2          About half the members of the SMC Council are elected.  Voting in the SMC elections is compulsory for all fully registered doctors.  About 15 to 20% of doctors cast null votes each year for various reasons. 

3          The disciplinary processes and requirements for doctors are set out in the MRA, and the disciplinary bodies set up, namely the Complaints Committees and the Disciplinary Tribunals, are obliged to comply with those statutory requirements. The disciplinary proceedings and the deliberations of the disciplinary bodies are conducted independent of the SMC Council, bearing in mind that the object of the MRA is to protect the health and safety of the public, uphold standards of practice within the medical profession, and maintain public confidence in the medical profession.

4          The Director of Medical Services, who is also the Registrar of the SMC under the MRA, has written to all doctors in January this year to explain and clarify SMC’s disciplinary processes.  As mentioned previously, the Review Committee will be looking into strengthening the processes for complaints and discipline.

5          To build public trust in our healthcare services, our healthcare professionals must play their part to ensure that patients are given the best care possible.  Our professional boards and councils have promulgated ethical codes and guidelines that articulate high standards of professional conduct.  The respective professional Acts have disciplinary frameworks as a deterrent against errant behavior with measures in place to ensure a fair hearing.  There are checks and balances in the professional Acts and avenues for appeal.  We will continue to refine and improve our processes, and ensure that public trust in our healthcare services and practitioners is maintained.