On 13 December 2023, the Ministry of Health (“MOH“) announced that the Tripartite Workgroup for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment of Healthcare Workers (“Workgroup“) has launched the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare (“Framework“). The Framework provides all healthcare institutions with a common definition of abuse and harassment, and a consistent set of standards to safeguard their healthcare workers. It also seeks to encourage healthcare institutions, in appropriate circumstances, to take action against the perpetrators.
The Framework seeks to lay the foundation to enable a reduction in the number of incidents of abuse and harassment against healthcare workers and provide healthcare workers with a safer working environment. To this end, it sets out a standardised zero-tolerance policy against all forms of abuse and harassment towards healthcare workers.
The Workgroup’s findings and recommendations, released in March 2023, are consolidated within the Framework. The Workgroup’s recommendations are to: (i) protect healthcare workers who face abuse and harassment; (ii) prevent situations that lead to abuse and harassment; and (iii) promote positive relationships between healthcare workers and patients/caregivers.
Building upon the Workgroup’s recommendations, the three following areas are covered within the Framework:
(a) A common definition of abuse and harassment. This will guide how healthcare institutions identify and subsequently prevent and manage such incidents in a consistent manner.
(b) Standardisation of relevant protocols for healthcare institutions. These protocols will range from immediate incident response, reporting and post-incident management. A detailed implementation guide will be circulated to all healthcare institutions.
(c) Follow-up actions to be taken against perpetrators to protect healthcare workers and those around them. This will include outsourced and contract staff.
In its press release, MOH announced that the three public healthcare clusters have committed to adopting the Framework and aim to enhance their internal protocols in their hospitals and institutions by June 2024.
To ensure a consistent approach across the public, private and community care sectors, MOH encourages other healthcare institutions, such as community care organisations, private hospitals and clinics, to support the zero-tolerance policy against abuse and harassment and adapt the implementation guide for their specific operating environment. The key issue is to raise awareness that such conduct is unlawful, and perpetrators can be charged under the relevant sections of the Penal Code or the Protection from Harassment Act.
Click on the following links for more information (available on the MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg):
