NOTICE PAPER NO. 2248
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 OCTOBER 2023
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Joan Pereira
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC
Question No. 5182
To ask the Minister for Health (a) how does the Ministry ensure that doctors are adequately trained to administer aesthetic procedures safely; and (b) whether it will review the qualification framework for doctors providing such a service.
Answer
1 The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) developed the ‘Guidelines on Aesthetic Practices for Doctors’ (Aesthetic Guidelines) in 2008 and updated them in 2016. The guidelines regulate aesthetic practice by stipulating the types of aesthetic procedures that doctors are permitted to perform, and the required competencies and qualifications to perform these procedures. These requirements are advised by the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC) appointed by the SMC.
2 In addition, all doctors are expected to abide by the SMC Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines (ECEG), such as by practicing within their own competence. The Ministry reviews the compliance of doctors to the Aesthetic Guidelines and ECEG during the audits of licensed healthcare institutions.
3 The Ministry and SMC work together to periodically review the Aesthetic Guidelines, with the next review scheduled to complete in 2024.