Singapore legislation
Section 12
Section 12
Assessment, examination and treatment of child or young person, etc.
(1)
A registered medical practitioner, a psychologist or an approved welfare officer to whom a child or young person is brought under section 10 or 11 —
must conduct the requisite assessment of the child or young person and report his or her assessment to the Director‑General, protector or police officer (as the case may be) who presented the child or young person for assessment; and
may, with the consent of the parent or guardian of the child or young person or, if such consent cannot be obtained or if there is immediate risk to the health of the child or young person, with the authorisation of the Director‑General, protector or police officer —
administer or cause to be administered to the child or young person such procedures and tests as may be necessary to diagnose the condition of the child or young person; and
provide or cause to be provided to the child or young person such treatment (including any surgical treatment) as the registered medical practitioner, psychologist or approved welfare officer considers necessary as a result of his or her assessment or diagnosis.
(2)
If the registered medical practitioner, psychologist or approved welfare officer conducting the assessment of the child or young person under subsection (1) believes on reasonable grounds that the child or young person is suffering from any physical pain, suffering or injury, or emotional harm or injury to his or her health or development as a result of being ill‑treated, the registered medical practitioner, psychologist or approved welfare officer must immediately notify the Director‑General, protector or police officer (as the case may be) who presented the child or young person for assessment.
(3)
Section 115 applies to a registered medical practitioner, a psychologist or an approved welfare officer who makes a notification under this section as if it were a notification made under section 115(1).
(4)
If the registered medical practitioner conducting the assessment of the child or young person under this section is of the opinion that the hospitalisation of the child or young person is necessary for the purpose of treating the child or young person, the Director‑General, protector or police officer may authorise the hospitalisation of the child or young person.[9A