UT frames draft policy on nursing homes in residential areas
Invites objections, suggestions within 30 days
Dushyant Singh Pundir
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 4
Backed by local MP Kirron Kher, the UT Administration has finally unveiled the draft order for opening of nursing homes in the residential areas and invited suggestions/objections, if any, within 30 days.
For allowing use of residential buildings into nursing homes sites, the authorities have put several conditions in the policy. As per the policy, a nursing home shall be allowed to function from a residential building only with the permission of the Chief Administrator, UT. An application for permission shall be made by the allottee of the building.
It also states that the maximum four nursing homes would be permitted in a sector. Initially, the number of sites in the city should not be more than 30, excluding the existing ones.
According to the draft order, permission shall be granted only to those having a plot measuring not less than 500 sq yd located on V-4, V-5 or V-6 road in the sector and that such a use will not create any undue traffic or other problems in the locality.
Eligibility for applying for fresh permission to set up nursing homes should be only to specialists such as MD, MS, MDS, BAMS, etc.
The existing nursing homes wishing to expand would be allowed by the way of clubbing of plots under same ownership and having continuous zoning of the adjacent plots.
Each such building should have a parking space for vehicles equal to the number of indoor beds plus two. If there are no indoor beds, there must be a parking space for at least five cars.
The feasibility of nursing home, number of beds, requirement of parking needs and availability of parking space shall be determined by the Chief Administrator.
The draft states that adequate arrangements for disposal of hospital waste must be made by the owner. No chemist shop shall be allowed on the site premises.
Charges for the conversion of a residential plot into a nursing home will be decided in a due course of time.
MP Kirron Kher had last year sent a proposal to the UT Administration to allow opening of nursing homes in residential areas. The Administration had, in 2005, discontinued the provision allowing new nursing homes in residential areas.
Box 1
Salient features
UT Chief Administrator to grant permission for running a nursing home from residential building
Allottee of the building to apply for permission
Maximum four nursing homes to be permitted in a sector
Size of plot must not be less than 500 sq yd and located on V-4, V-5 or V-6 roads
Existing nursing homes wishing to expand could club plots under the same ownership.
Adequate arrangements for disposal of hospital waste must be made by the owner.
No chemist shops shall be allowed in the building
Building plan of nursing home will be sanctioned by a plan approval committee
Box 2
Chief Administrator to take final call
Feasibility of the nursing home, number of beds, parking needs and availability of parking space to be determined by the Chief Administrator on the advice of a committee.
Box 3
Parking space
Each building should have a parking space for vehicles equal to the number of indoor beds plus two. If there are no indoor beds there must be a parking space for at least five cars. The parking space shall be inside the building. In case of parking space outside the building, it shall be within 200 m from the plot. No parking will be allowed along roadside.
