Treat serious patients without delay: Court

Shimla, January 9

The HP High Court on Wednesday directed the Director, Health Services, to issue instructions to all chief medical officers and medical superintendents in all state hospitals and medical colleges to immediately attend to the patient brought in a serious condition without any delay.

  A Division Bench comprising Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary and Justice CB Barowalia said in a medical-legal case, the doctor on duty should invariably mention the date and time when the patient is brought and the information be given to the police. 

  The Bench headed by Justice Chaudhary asked the Director to issue instructions to the subordinate staff that they should also mention the time when the treatment started in the record. They should also mention the date and time of the admission in the history sheet and the prescription slip of the patient. If the patient is referred to any other hospital, the time thereof should also be mentioned in the record.

The court clarified that such instructions be issued for being followed by all private hospitals across the state.  The court directed the Director, Health Service, to file his compliance affidavit within three weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on March 7. — OC