HCSA and the Regulation of Psychologists

23 February 2024

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2612
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 28 February 2024 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 5780

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the Healthcare Services Act 2020 to enhance the recognition and regulation of mental health professionals, such as registered psychologists, to reflect the growing need for accessible mental healthcare services; and (b) whether the review can include allowing mental health professionals to use the terms "doctors" and "treatment" under ethical guidelines and within their scope of practice to encourage people to seek treatment for mental health conditions.

Answer

1     Psychological practice is evolving given the increasing importance of mental health, and encompasses diverse fields with their own unique patient safety concerns. The Ministry of Health is working with agencies, service providers and professional associations to update the risk assessment. This includes determining if there is a need for registration of psychologists to better support the safety and quality of the practice.  

2     The advertising controls under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) were put in place to provide greater transparency and protect consumers from being misled by healthcare advertisements which misrepresent the services provided. The restrictions on the use of the term “treat” applies to all non-HCSA licensees, not just standalone psychology service providers. Likewise, the protection of the title “doctor” applies to all non-registered healthcare practitioners, and not just clinical psychologists.  MOH is presently engaging with the psychologists and its association to clarify the proper use of these terms.