Debated in Parliament on 1 Apr 2019.
The following question stood in the name of Dr Chia Shi-Lu –
To ask the Minister for Health in light of the recent case of a $50,000 fine by the Singapore Medical Council for a doctor who was tricked into conveying medical information to a patient's brother (a) what are the parameters for communication between doctors and family members, especially when a patient may not be in the position to provide consent or has given implied but not express consent; and (b) what provisions are there in a perceived urgency or emergency, or if doctors have been deliberately misled into giving the information, despite the information being given in good faith and with due concern for the patient.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health in respect of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC)'s action against a doctor for breaching patient confidentiality (a) whether the Ministry will review the mitigating factors in the case; (b) how will this SMC ruling impact on any urgent need for doctors to transmit information over the telephone to their patients or their care-givers; and (c) whether the Ministry will be drawing clearer guidelines for the medical profession to comply with.
Question No 1.
Mr Speaker, as I would be making a Ministerial Statement later on this subject, may I have your permission to take both Question Nos 1 and 2 during my Ministerial Statement?
Yes, please. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah.
PAPERCUTS