MOH proposing amendments to Healthcare Services Act for ‘greater clarity’, patients’ safety

Second, MOH proposes that HCSA licensees are “not allowed to use terms associated with specialties in their business names if there is no such specialist employed by them”. 

For instance, a clinic cannot be called “Neurology Clinic” if there is no neurologist working for the clinic. 

Third, MOH proposes a regulation of different modes of healthcare service delivery. 

This is so the public is aware of the modes of service delivery they can access, said the ministry. 

For instance, a medical clinic can choose “Permanent Premises” for its clinic service delivered at its physical premises.

They can choose “Temporary Premises” if they provide home visits or community site screenings, and they can select “Remote” for teleconsultations. 

Fourth, MOH is proposing an introduction of “an approval regime” for the delivery of specified services, such as imaging modalities under the radiological service. 

They are also proposing the appointment of “clinical governance officers”. 

Fifth, MOH proposes refining the scope of employee background screening according to the degree of risk to patients’ safety and welfare. 

And finally, MOH is proposing that it should be allowed to take immediate action to address “urgent patient safety issues”.

It proposes removing the current 14-day notice prior to modification of licence conditions for groups of licensees in such special circumstances, such as requiring licensees to implement screening requirements for patients and caregivers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.