Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill

The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Medical Registration Act to enhance the disciplinary processes regarding medical practitioners in Singapore. Key points include:

• The Bill changes the composition of the Singapore Medical Council, allowing for representation from the Academy of Medicine Singapore, the College of Family Physicians Singapore, and the Singapore Medical Association.
• It introduces mechanisms for immediate interim orders against medical practitioners posing an imminent danger to patient safety, streamlining disciplinary procedures.
• The restructured disciplinary process includes distinct stages: Inquiry Committees to filter complaints, Complaints Committees to conduct further inquiries, and Disciplinary Tribunals for formal proceedings.
• The amendments establish clear timelines and procedures for handling complaints, investigations, and appeals to ensure timely resolutions and maintain public safety.
• The Bill also makes provisions for the restoration of names to registers and the confidentiality of assessments, as well as protections for committee members from personal liability in carrying out their duties under the Act.