On 26 June 2023, the Healthcare Services Act 2020 (“HCSA”) was amended to implement the following key changes:
- Transitioning existing licensees offering hospital and ambulatory care services and specified services under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (“PHMCA”) to HCSA (“Phase 2 implementation of HCSA”
- Enhancing the regulatory regime governing healthcare services; and
- Ensuring greater clarity and transparency in healthcare services advertising.
The HCSA is being implemented progressively with licensees coming onboard HCSA in three phases, with: (1) Phase 1 implemented for clinical support services (e.g. laboratory, radiological) in January 2022; (2) Phase 2 implemented for various hospital and ambulatory care services and specified services (e.g. liposuction, endoscopy) on 26 June 2023; and (3) Phase 3 to be implemented for long-term care services and other specialised and new services (e.g. preventive health) by the end of 2023.
The second and third phases set out above are introduced in the Healthcare Services (Amendment) Act 2023 (“Amendment Act”) which was passed in Parliament on 27 March 2023. The Amendment Act refines the HCSA to address developments which have an impact on the healthcare industry since the HCSA was enacted in 2020.
This Update provides a summary of the changes to the HSCA that have taken effect on 26 June 2023.
For more information, click here to read the full Legal Update.
