PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS BILL (As reported from Select Committee)

Order for Third Reading read. 2.42 p.m.

The Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

The Report of the Select Committee on the Bill has been circulated to Members of the House. The Committee received several representations from professional organizations. The Committee noted the points raised by them and have incorporated virtually all the suggestions that have been made to the Committee by these organizations.

Clause 9, in particular, relates to appeals to advisory committees and permits in the case of physicians who are registered under the Medical Registration Act and dentists who are registered under the Dentists Registration Act to appeal to the advisory committee consisting of members of the Singapore Medical Council and the Dental Board.

Clause 10 ensures that all books and documents which are inspected in the clinic or in the hospital will be only those related to medical practice.

Clause 12 ensures patient confidentiality, and information on patients will be provided only at the request of the patient or at the request of another person acting on the patient's behalf. This is to make certain that the data which we are asking for from private clinics and hospitals will be used only for statistical purposes.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.