INFORMATION ABOUT SMA COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE

(updated 18 July 2006)

The Singapore Medical Association (SMA) is a professional body. The SMA Complaints Committee handles complaints concerning locally registered doctors and recommends to the SMA Council appropriate actions which may include:

i. To facilitate understanding by providing appropriate information gathered from various sources.

ii. To provide a professional perspective.

iii. To mediate a solution by suggesting options that could lead to amicable settlement.

iv. To communicate to the complainant that the case is outside the Committee's purview with suggestion to bring it up with other
authorities, if appropriate.

v. To give advice on acceptable practice matters and/or ethical issues to the doctor.

vi. To request doctor to give undertaking not to repeat unacceptable and/or unethical practice or behaviour.

vii. To recommend to the SMA Council that a formal complaint to SMC or to other external authorities be lodged;

viii. To communicate trends to the Secretary, SMC.

In submitting the complaint to the SMA, the complainant is aware that the SMA is a professional body and not a statutory body and therefore has no legal authority to conduct formal enquiries, to subpoena witnesses or documents and to discipline doctors, etc.

Complaints may also be resolved through other healthcare organisations and statutory bodies. A list of such alternative avenues is available upon request. Complaints may also be handled through civil means.