Availability of Fit-to-drive Eye Examination Information to Medical Practitioners and Maintaining Standard of Testing for Such Checks
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the medical examination requirements for motorists aged 65 and above, specifically regarding data access, test frequency, and clinic types. Ms Poh Li San proposed granting doctors access to National Electronic Health Records (NEHR) and increasing examination frequency for older seniors. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that NEHR access is restricted to direct patient care and is not permitted for licensing assessments. He shared that while heavy vehicle drivers face annual tests, the Ministry is currently reviewing the three-year examination frequency for other licence classes. He also clarified that examinations will not be limited to specialty clinics as specialized medical knowledge is not required.
Transcript
101 Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for Home Affairs regarding the medical examination for motorists aged 65 and above to be certified fit-to-drive to revalidate their Singapore driving licence (a) whether the Singapore-registered medical practitioner can be granted access to the applicants' health information on the National Electronic Health Records for a better overview of their medical conditions; (b) whether the examinations can be made increasingly frequent for those aged above 75, 80 and 85; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider limiting such examinations to appointed specialty clinics.
Mr K Shanmugam: Today, motorists aged 65 and above must pass a medical examination and be certified fit-to-drive by a Singapore-registered medical practitioner, before they can revalidate their Singapore driving licence. Medical practitioners are not authorised to access National Electronic Health Records (NEHR) for this medical examination, as it is not one of the permitted uses. Access to NEHR is granted primarily for the purposes of providing direct patient care.
For Class 4, 4A and 5 driving licences, which are for heavy vehicles, motorists between the age of 65 and 75 must undergo a medical examination and a Proficiency Driving Test every year. Motorists above the age of 75 are not allowed to drive heavy vehicles. For the other classes of driving licence, motorists aged 65 and above must undergo a medical examination every three years. We are reviewing the frequency of medical examination, as suggested by the Member.
We do not intend to limit such medical examinations to specialty clinics, as the assessment does not require any special knowledge, skill or experience in any particular branch of medicine.