These background checks will only be conducted on prospective employees once this provision comes into effect in Q3 of 2024. Current employees are not affected.

This ‘restriction’ is to prevent individuals who have committed egregious crimes such as rape, from being employed/engaged within high-risk services and potentially harming vulnerable patients.

However, we also understand that not all past offenders are recalcitrant. Employers who wish to employ/engage past offenders of prescribed offences may seek the approval of the Director-General of Health (DGH).

This restriction is similar in nature to the approach taken under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act, which provides for employment restrictions on individuals who have been previously convicted of certain serious offences, including those involving child abuse or neglect.