No law on zero-tolerance, but Singapore's healthcare workers will continue to be protected under legal provisions

Legislation aside, it is critical to build mutual trust and respect between healthcare workers, patients, and their caregivers, the Ministry of Health affirmed.

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) has clarified that there is no intention to pass the upcoming zero-tolerance policy against the abuse and harassment of healthcare workers into law.

However, healthcare workers will continue to be protected under the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act, the Ministry stated in response to a recent Parliamentary query. 

"We will not hesitate to report egregious cases of abuse to the Police for investigation," it affirmed. 

"Legislation aside, it is critical to build mutual trust and respect between healthcare workers, patients, and their caregivers. MOH Holdings will be launching a national public education campaign to promote respect for healthcare workers, and to align expectations of healthcare workers' roles.

"We call on the public to support these efforts to ensure that healthcare works can carry out their duties effectively in a safe and conducive working environment."

In March this year, the Tripartite Workgroup for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment of Healthcare Workers released a set of recommendations around the standardised zero-tolerance policy, for which the Ministry expressed its support. 

The policy will include a common definition of abuse and harassment across healthcare institutions, an effective reporting and escalation protocol, practices for a supportive culture of reporting, and clear consequences that are implemented and enforced. 

MOH will be working with public healthcare clusters to develop the policy details in the second half of this year. As previously shared, upon release of the policy, private healthcare institutions and community care organisations will be encouraged to refer to the parameters of this policy and adapt it to their processes and operating models where feasible.

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