Part of a comprehensive analysis of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1999
All Parts in This Series
Establishment and Composition of the Singapore Nursing Board
The Nurses and Midwives Act 1999 establishes the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) as a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal. This foundational provision is set out in Section 3(1):
"A body called the Singapore Nursing Board is established, which is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal." — Section 3(1)
Verify Section 3 in source document →
This provision exists to provide the SNB with a distinct legal personality, enabling it to enter contracts, own property, and sue or be sued in its own name. The perpetual succession ensures continuity of the Board’s existence despite changes in membership, which is essential for the stable regulation of nursing and midwifery professions in Singapore.
Section 3(2) details the composition of the Board, specifying the qualifications and number of members appointed by the Minister:
"(2) The Board consists of the following members: ... (d) 14 other members to be appointed by the Minister, of whom at least — (i) 9 must be registered or enrolled nurses with at least 5 years’ experience in the practice of nursing; and (ii) 2 must be registered midwives with at least 5 years’ experience in the practice of midwifery." — Section 3(2)
Verify Section 3 in source document →
The purpose of this provision is to ensure that the Board is composed of individuals with relevant expertise and experience in nursing and midwifery. This composition guarantees that decisions made by the Board are informed by professional knowledge and practical insights, thereby safeguarding public health and maintaining high standards within the professions.
Terms, Removal, and Vacancies of Appointed Members
Section 4 governs the removal of appointed members from office, outlining specific grounds for removal by the Minister:
"Removal of appointed member from office ... The Minister may remove an appointed member from office if the member — (a) is an undischarged bankrupt; (b) has been found guilty in Singapore or elsewhere of professional misconduct; (c) has been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude; (d) is unable to satisfactorily carry out the duties of his or her office because of a mental or physical disability; or (e) is absent without leave of the Board from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board or any of its committees." — Section 4
Verify Section 4 in source document →
This provision exists to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the Board. By allowing removal on grounds such as bankruptcy, professional misconduct, criminal conviction, incapacity, or absenteeism, the Act ensures that Board members remain fit and proper persons capable of fulfilling their duties responsibly.
Appointment of Chairperson and Conduct of Meetings
While the extraction does not provide explicit text on the appointment of the Chairperson or meeting procedures, Section 7(3) clarifies the Board’s authority to regulate its own procedures:
"Subject to this Act and the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, the Board may regulate its own procedure." — Section 7(3)
Verify Section 7 in source document →
This provision empowers the Board to establish rules regarding the appointment of its Chairperson, quorum requirements, voting procedures, and other meeting protocols. The cross-reference to the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018 ensures that the Board’s procedures align with broader governance standards applicable to public sector entities, promoting transparency and accountability.
Functions of the Singapore Nursing Board
Section 8 comprehensively outlines the functions of the Board, which include registration, certification, accreditation, regulation of standards, and professional conduct:
"The functions of the Board are — (a) to approve or reject applications for registration and enrolment of nurses and for registration of midwives; (b) to approve or reject applications for certification of Advanced Practice Nurses; (c) to issue practising certificates; (d) to accredit — (i) courses in Singapore for the purposes of registration and enrolment of nurses, registration of midwives and certification of Advanced Practice Nurses; (ii) courses in Singapore which provide qualifications in nursing or midwifery in addition to those required for registration and enrolment; and (iii) the institutions in Singapore offering any of these courses; (e) to regulate standards for the training and education of registered nurses, enrolled nurses, registered midwives and Advanced Practice Nurses; (f) to regulate the standards and scope of practice of registered nurses, enrolled nurses, registered midwives and Advanced Practice Nurses; (g) to regulate the professional conduct and ethics of registered nurses, enrolled nurses, registered midwives and Advanced Practice Nurses; and (h) generally to do all such acts, matters and things as are necessary or authorised to be carried out under this Act." — Section 8
Verify Section 8 in source document →
The purpose of these functions is multifaceted:
- Registration and Certification: Ensures that only qualified individuals are permitted to practise, protecting public safety.
- Issuance of Practising Certificates: Provides a mechanism for ongoing verification of fitness to practise.
- Accreditation of Courses and Institutions: Maintains educational standards, ensuring that training programs produce competent professionals.
- Regulation of Standards and Scope of Practice: Defines the boundaries and expectations of professional practice to prevent malpractice.
- Regulation of Professional Conduct and Ethics: Upholds the integrity and trustworthiness of the nursing and midwifery professions.
Appointment of Executive Secretary and Employees
Section 9 authorises the Board to appoint an executive secretary and other employees:
"The Board may appoint an executive secretary and such other employees on such terms as the Board may determine." — Section 9
Verify Section 9 in source document →
This provision exists to enable the Board to function effectively by employing personnel to manage its administrative and operational tasks. The executive secretary typically acts as the chief administrative officer, facilitating the Board’s day-to-day activities.
Appointment and Delegation to Committees
Section 10 empowers the Board to appoint committees and delegate powers:
"The Board may appoint one or more committees for any general or special purpose ... The Board may delegate to any committee so appointed ... any of the powers or functions which may be exercised or performed by the Board." — Section 10
Verify Section 10 in source document →
This provision allows the Board to distribute its workload and leverage specialised expertise by forming committees. Delegation ensures efficient decision-making and operational flexibility, enabling the Board to address specific issues or functions more effectively.
Payment of Fees to Members and Committee Members
Section 11 provides for the payment of fees to members who are not public officers:
"There are to be paid to — (a) the members; and (b) the members of any committee appointed under section 10 and the members of any Complaints Committee appointed under section 37, who are not public officers such fees as may be approved by the Minister." — Section 11
Verify Section 11 in source document →
This provision recognises the contribution of non-public officer members by allowing remuneration, which serves as an incentive for qualified professionals to serve on the Board or its committees. It also ensures fairness and acknowledges the time and expertise provided by these members.
Absence of Definitions and Penalties in Part 2
Notably, Part 2 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1999, which governs the Singapore Nursing Board, does not contain explicit definitions or specify penalties for non-compliance. This absence suggests that definitions relevant to nursing and midwifery may be located elsewhere in the Act or in subsidiary legislation, and that enforcement mechanisms or penalties are addressed in other parts of the legislation.
"No definitions section or explicit definitions appear in Part 2." — Analysis of Part 2
Verify source in source document →
"No mention of penalties or offences in Part 2." — Analysis of Part 2
Verify source in source document →
The rationale for this structure is to separate the governance and administrative framework of the Board from the regulatory and disciplinary provisions, which may be contained in other parts of the Act. This separation allows for clearer organisation of the legislation and focused application of different provisions.
Cross-References to Other Legislation
Section 7(3) explicitly references the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018 in relation to the Board’s procedural regulations:
"Subject to this Act and the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, the Board may regulate its own procedure." — Section 7(3)
Verify Section 7 in source document →
This cross-reference ensures that the Singapore Nursing Board’s governance aligns with broader public sector governance standards, promoting consistency, transparency, and accountability in its operations. It reflects the integration of the Board within the wider framework of Singapore’s public sector regulatory environment.
Conclusion
The provisions in Part 2 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1999 establish a robust framework for the governance, composition, and functions of the Singapore Nursing Board. By creating a corporate body with qualified members, clear grounds for removal, and comprehensive regulatory functions, the Act ensures that nursing and midwifery professions in Singapore are effectively regulated to protect public health and maintain professional standards. The Board’s authority to appoint staff, form committees, and remunerate members further supports its operational effectiveness. The absence of definitions and penalties in this Part indicates a deliberate legislative design to compartmentalise governance and disciplinary matters, while cross-references to other legislation ensure alignment with public sector governance norms.
Sections Covered in This Analysis
- Section 3(1) – Establishment of the Singapore Nursing Board
- Section 3(2) – Composition of the Board
- Section 4 – Removal of appointed members
- Section 7(3) – Regulation of Board procedure and cross-reference to Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018
- Section 8 – Functions of the Board
- Section 9 – Appointment of executive secretary and employees
- Section 10 – Appointment and delegation to committees
- Section 11 – Payment of fees to members and committee members
Source Documents
For the authoritative text, consult SSO.