Positive Feedback on the Proposed Amendments to the Medical Registration Act

28 May 2009

The Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a public consultation from 14 Jan 2009 to 25 Feb 2009 to seek the public’s views and feedback on the proposed amendments to the Medical Registration Act (MRA). The proposed changes include the establishment of a Register for Family Physicians, defining appropriate subspecialties, streamlining of registration and disciplinary proceedings. 

2. The public was invited to send their views via e-mails, post, faxes and the e-consultation portal. In addition, the public consultation paper was also sent to the medical profession by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). MOH and SMC received a total of 87 responses from the public and organisations. Organisations that provided feedback included the Singapore Medical Association, Academy of Medicine Singapore, College of Family Physicians Singapore, National University of Singapore, The Law Society of Singapore and the Legal Service Commission.

3. The responses received from the public, medical, professional and non-governmental organizations were supportive of the proposed amendments to the MRA. A summary of the views received are as follows:

a) A vast majority of the respondents were in support of the proposed amendments:

i) 90% supported the proposal to set requirements and restrictions for conditionally registered doctors.

ii) 76% agreed that amendments to the disciplinary proceedings will strengthen professional self-regulation and streamline disciplinary processes.

iii) 85% agreed that the SMC’s Complaints Committees should be allowed to appoint officers to investigate complaints.

iv) 88% were in support of including a performance assessment framework.

v) 86% were in support of mandating a professional indemnity insurance for doctors who want to obtain practising certificates.

b) A minority of respondents were of the view that the establishment of the Register of Family Physicians would not raise the standard of primary care; they felt that communications skills and empathy were more important than being on the register.  MOH will emphasise to the medical professionals that the postgraduate family medicine training serves to upgrade the knowledge and skills of GPs and the courses would cover professionalism and communications skills.

More details of the survey, including MOH’s responses to the key issues raised are summarized in the Annex A and B.

4. MOH would like to thank all respondents for their feedback. MOH will carefully consider the feedback received from the public and various institutions in refining the Bill.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH