Functions and duties of Principal Officer
13.—(1)  The functions and duties of the Principal Officer of a licensee are as follows:
(a)to exercise oversight over the day-to-day provision of the licensable healthcare service by the licensee;
(b)to ensure that the licensable healthcare service is, at all times, provided in a manner that ensures the safety, welfare and continuity of care of the licensee’s patients and customers;
(c)where the licensee is approved to provide the licensable healthcare service at any permanent premises, at any premises other than permanent premises (called in this sub-paragraph temporary premises) or using any conveyance — to ensure the safe operation of every approved permanent premises, temporary premises and approved conveyance, and the safety of persons at every approved permanent premises, temporary premises and approved conveyance;
[S 414/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(ca)where the licensee is approved to provide the licensable healthcare service by remote provision and a patient is required to use any structure, facility, equipment or device provided by the licensee to receive the licensable healthcare service — to ensure the safe operation of the structure, facility, equipment or device and the safety of persons in the vicinity of the structure, facility, equipment or device;
[S 414/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(d)to oversee the implementation of processes to review and manage any clinical risk and enterprise risk that may arise in the provision of the licensable healthcare service, and ensure that the licensee and every personnel comply with the processes.
(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the Principal Officer’s duty in relation to the day‑to‑day provision of the licensable healthcare service includes the following:
(a)where a matter requires the Principal Officer’s attention —
(i)the Principal Officer must be available to handle the matter; or
[S 414/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(ii)if the Principal Officer cannot be so available, the Principal Officer must appoint a suitably qualified and competent employee of the licensee to handle the matter on the Principal Officer’s behalf;
[S 414/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(b)the Principal Officer must at all times be contactable by any personnel.
(3)  Despite paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (4), the Principal Officer must, before making any decision on a clinical matter, consult —
(a)if one or more Clinical Governance Officers are appointed — the Clinical Governance Officer who oversees the subject that the clinical matter relates; and
(b)in any other case — any key appointment holder of the licensee who is a healthcare professional with clinical experience that is relevant to the licensable healthcare service.
(4)  The Principal Officer is not required to consult any key appointment holder under paragraph (3)(b) if the Principal Officer is also a healthcare professional with clinical experience that is relevant to the licensable healthcare service.