12 Mar 2019
Dear Fellow Academicians
STATEMENT ON DR SOO SHUENN CHIANG'S CASE BY THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE
The Councils of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore and its Colleges welcome the move by the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH) to review the recent verdict by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) Disciplinary Tribunal (DT) on Dr Soo Shuenn Chiang’s case.
We recognise it is the second case within a short interval where punishment meted out by SMC is viewed to be disproportionately harsh. It underscores the urgency for the recently announced MOH Workgroup to review the SMC disciplinary process, addressing the systemic limitations in the practice of medicine today as well.
As MOH has already reached out to the professional bodies to participate in the Workgroup, the Academy and its Colleges welcome individual Fellows and Members to contribute comments and feedback so that we can discuss with MOH in the weeks ahead. You may email your inputs to: master@ams.edu.sg.
We would also like to take this opportunity to share that the Academy with effect 1 January 2019 has agreed to support the SMC Complaints Committee (CC) under the newly developed Expert Opinion Framework, when required. The framework was forged with the aim of enhancing SMC CC’s and DT’s processes moving forward.
We will continue to advocate for the profession to ensure a safe and effective environment for the entire healthcare system, for both patients and doctors.
Master and Council (2018 - 2019)
Academy of Medicine, Singapore