Should clinical psychologists become registered healthcare professionals in future (i.e., they are included under Second Schedule of the AHPA), would they still need to comply with Section 31A and B of the HCSA?
The Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA) FAQs, Enhanced advertising control of healthcare service
Should clinical psychologists become registered healthcare professionals in future (i.e., they are included under Second Schedule of the AHPA), they would be regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council and would need to adhere to their Code of Conduct.
The requirements under Section 31B of the HCSA – “Restrictions on use of protected title” would no longer apply to them.
However, advertisements by private psychology service provider would still need to adhere to the requirements under Section 31A of the HCSA as their services are not licensed under HCSA.
Related questions
Do the requirements under Section 31B of the HCSA apply to all clinical psychologists who wish to use the protected title, “Dr” in advertisements regardless of whether they practise at licensed (e.g., IMH and SGH) or non-licensed healthcare service providers (e.g. private psychological service providers/ clinics)?
If a clinical psychologist features on the website of a psychology clinic that provides psychological services, would he / she need to state his / her qualifications when using the title “Dr”?
Who does the prohibition under Section 31A of the HCSA apply to?
Why are HCSA licensees allowed to claim that they can treat conditions of the human body in advertisement, while non-HCSA licensees (e.g., private psychological service providers/ clinics) are not allowed to do so? For example, IMH and SGH (HCSA-licensees) can state that their psychological services can treat mental conditions, while psychological service providers/ clinics (non-HCSA licensees) are not allowed to.
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