s 45 Inquiry by Complaints Committee
45.—(1) A Complaints Committee must complete its inquiry not later than 3 months after the date that the complaint or information is referred to the Complaints Committee. (2) Where a Complaints Committee is of the opinion that it will not be able to complete its inquiry within the period mentioned in subsection (1), the Complaints Committee may apply in writing to the chairman of the Complaints Panel for an extension of time to complete its inquiry. (3) The chairman of the Complaints Panel may, upon a written request by a Complaints Committee, grant to the Complaints Committee one (but not more than one) extension of the period mentioned in subsection (1) if the chairman is satisfied that the circumstances of the case justify the grant of the extension, except that the extension must not extend beyond the period of 6 months after the date that the complaint or information is referred to the Complaints Committee. (4) The Medical Council may, upon a written request by a Complaints Committee, apply to the General Division of the High Court in accordance with section 59U for a further extension of time that extends beyond the period mentioned in subsection (3) for the Complaints Committee to complete its inquiry. (5) For the purposes of conducting an inquiry, a Complaints Committee may —(a) require the production for inspection by the Complaints Committee of any book, document or paper which may relate to or be connected with the subject matter of the inquiry; and (b) require the complainant, registered medical practitioner concerned and any other person to give any information or evidence which may relate to or be connected with the subject matter of the inquiry (including any information in relation to any book, document or paper mentioned in paragraph (a)) —(i) at an attendance before the Complaints Committee; (ii) in writing; or (iii) by way of a statutory declaration or an affidavit. (6) Any person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or fails to comply with any requirement of a Complaints Committee under subsection (5)(a) or (b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. (7) For the purposes of any inquiry, a Complaints Committee may —(a) where an Inquiry Committee has directed an investigation under section 43(3)(b)(ii) or (c) — refer to and rely on the report arising from that investigation; or (b) in any other case — direct one or more investigators to investigate the complaint or information to which the inquiry relates. [Act 34 of 2020 wef 01/07/2022]