VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FOR ALLEGED MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE BY HOSPITAL STAFF

MP Jamus Lim

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health what is the (i) average number of complaints received per month for alleged medical negligence by hospital staff and (ii) average total patient intake per month, with a breakdown respectively for Sengkang Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and other regional hospitals.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: In 2022, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) received an average of one complaint per month for alleged medical negligence by registered medical practitioners in the public sector hospitals. All these complaints were investigated, most of them involved complex cases, and the SMC was satisfied that there was no negligence on the part of healthcare workers. There were no such complaints received by other Professional Boards.

The patient intake is well spread out across regional hospitals. However, it is higher in National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, due to their higher patient loads and the complex cases they manage.

Ministry of Health
19 September 2023

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-na-14511