MOH plans to revoke Bugis clinic’s license after providing multiple short teleconsultations

MaNaDr Clinic, located in Bugis, to get license revoked by MOH

The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a statement on Thursday (24 Oct) sharing its intention to suspend the medical license held by MaNaDr Clinic (MND), located along Beach Road in Bugis.

bugis clinic license 1

Source: Google Maps

This came about two months after the clinic was ordered to stop providing outpatient medical services via teleconsultation.

Following investigations, MOH assessed that the clinic is unable to continue providing outpatient medical services in a clinically and ethically appropriate manner.

Clinic in Bugis gave teleconsultations lasting a minute or less to large number of patients

In their statement, MOH said it has issued a “notice of intended revocation of license” to the clinic. Specifically, the license in question relates to the provision of outpatient medical services, including physical, temporary, and remote consultation.

Through its investigations, MOH found that there is reason to believe that there is an “entrenched culture of disregard for the applicable clinical and ethical standards” within the clinic.

MOH’s findings include the following:

  • Short teleconsultationsons
  • Issuance of multiple MCs over a short period
  • Questionable and poor documentation

MND was found to have provided “very short teleconsultations” to a large number of patients, with some lasting a minute or less.

Despite the short sessions, patients were still prescribed medication and issued medical certificates (MC). Some patients were even issued multiple MCs over a few teleconsultations spread over a short period of time.

Additionally, MOH’s investigations also revealed questionable and poor documentation practices at the clinic.

In some cases, patients were given short teleconsultation sessions that were not commensurate with their detailed case notes.

MOH added that it is also looking into MND’s Principal Officer and Clinical Governance Officer and whether he discharged his duties satisfactorily

MOH to refer 41 doctors to Singapore Medical Council

In addition to revoking MND’s license, MOH will also refer 41 doctors to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for alleged professional misconduct at MND.

13 of these doctors were locum practitioners who had breached their employment terms by moonlighting without their employers’ approval.

MOH also said that most of these doctors provided teleconsultations while on active duty at public healthcare institutions.

Of these 13 doctors, seven have been dismissed while five have left the healthcare sector.

The remaining doctor has been subject to “disciplinary action” as his actions were less severe.

Also read: ‘Get your MC or get a refund’: Little India clinic under investigation for issuing MC without consultation

‘Get your MC or get a refund’: Little India clinic under investigation for issuing MC without consultation

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Featured image adapted from Google Maps. 

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