LITIGATIONS OVER MEDICAL INCOMPETENCE (Particulars)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (a) how many doctors have been sued in the past 10 years for negligence or incompetence; (b) how many patients have died as a result of such negligence or incompetence; and (c) whether it is necessary to have a "sue the doctors and hospitals" campaign for the benefit of the general public.

The Minister for Finance and Minister for Education and Minister for Health (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, the answers are as follows:

First, during the past 10 years (from 1975 to 1984) four legal suits were lodged against Government doctors for negligence or incompetence, The Ministry does not have data on malpractice suits taken out against doctors in private practice. Of the four cases lodged against Government doctors, two resulted in the death of patients.

Sir, the Government is of the view that a "sue the doctors and hospitals" campaign is not necessary. Such a campaign would indeed have undesirable repercussions. The constant threat of litigation will induce doctors to practise what is called "defensive medicine", ie, to subject their patients to wasteful and unnecessary investigations, treatment and medication. Doctors will have to pay high insurance premium to protect themselves against lawsuits. The result will be higher medical bills for the patients.