Update on Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Abuse and Harassment of Healthcare Workers

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1852
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 21 APRIL 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 2881

To ask the Minister for Health (a) when will the standardised zero-tolerance policy against the abuse and harassment of healthcare workers be formulated; (b) what protections will it include; and (c) whether it will be passed into law.

Answer

The zero-tolerance policy will include a common definition of abuse and harassment across healthcare institutions, an effective reporting and escalation protocol, practices for a supportive culture of reporting, and clear consequences that are implemented and enforced. As was announced previously, the Ministry will work with public healthcare clusters to develop the details of the standardised zero-tolerance policy in the second half of this year. There is no intention to pass this into law. However, healthcare workers will continue to be protected under the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act, and we will not hesitate to report egregious cases of abuse to the Police for investigation.

Legislation aside, it is critical to build mutual trust and respect between healthcare workers, patients and their caregivers. The Ministry of Health (MOH) Holdings will be launching a national public education campaign to promote respect for healthcare workers, and to align expectations of healthcare workers’ roles.

We call on the public to support these efforts to ensure that healthcare works can carry out their duties effectively in a safe and conducive working environment.