Singapore: debate about physician discipline
The article from Singapore Medical Council (SMC) discusses growing concerns about the fairness and consistency of disciplinary actions against doctors in Singapore. Two contrasting recent cases highlight the issue: one involved a junior doctor suspended for three years (effectively six years given prior suspension) for forging two medical certificates, while another seasoned doctor received the same maximum suspension for prescribing inappropriate hormone therapies that harmed patients. The similarity of these sentences despite differing gravity of misconduct has sparked debate that SMC’s disciplinary tribunals may be inconsistent in applying punishments. Critics cite the absence of clear sentencing guidelines and significant delays in resolving cases as factors undermining confidence in the process. In response, a new committee has been appointed to develop a sentencing-framework aimed at improving transparency, fairness and timeliness in disciplinary decisions.