Are we allowed to display the accreditation attained on information brochures relating to the service, letterheads, test reports? Examples include xxx, an ISO-certified laboratory since 2000.
No. Licensees can only display, publish, disseminate or convey any information relating to any accreditation, certification or award conferred on their licensable healthcare service within the licensed premises or licensed conveyance of the licensee, and on their websites and social media accounts. Additionally, only awards / accreditation that are awarded to a licensee for compliance with technical standards in relation to the specific licensable healthcare service(s) or the overall provision of healthcare services provided by the licensee can be displayed. This aims to discourage licensees from offering money or any form of valuable consideration solely to guarantee the licensee’s award of an honour, as such honours may convey an unjustified impression of the quality of the licensee’s services.
The accreditations, certifications or awards referred to in this Regulation do not include professional qualifications conferred on registered healthcare professionals, such as professional registration certificates and certificates of competence for experience or expertise in procedures
In addition, the display, publication, dissemination and conveyance of any information relating to any accreditation, certification or award within the licensed premises or licensed conveyance of the licensee and/or on licensees’ websites or social media accounts must comply with Regulation 5 of the HCS (Advertisement) Regulations and must not, for example, be exaggerated, false, misleading or deceptive.
Related questions
If a person or an organisation decides to give an award, certification, etc. (e.g. for “Excellence in the provision of medical care”), and publishes an advertisement that sets out a list of HCSA licensees who have received honours conferred by this organisation without the knowledge of, or any consent or authorisation from the licensee, will the licensee be held liable?
Are licensees allowed to post pictures of or reviews by celebrities or social media influencers, who are their patients, on their website or social media accounts?
How would the advertising controls affect a non-HCSA licensee who collaborates with a licensee (e.g., a medical device supplier collaborates with a medical/dental clinic) and wishes to advertise its relationship with the licensee?
Can we allow insurance companies to have a hyperlink to a licensee’s website, as part of their value-added service for their policy holders
