Stop with 24 hour duty shifts for Doctors : High Court

Published On 2018-04-26 05:46 GMT   |   Update On 2018-04-26 05:46 GMT

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today questioned the need for doctors to be on duty for 24 hours or more and said that it should be changed.


Referring to the shortage of medical professionals, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed that in a country "blessed with human resource" the relatives of hospitalized patients need to lug around medicines and reports from one department to another in a hospital.



 "Why do we have 24 hour or 30 hour long shifts for doctors? It should be changed," the court said.








 The bench made the observations during a brief hearing of a PIL initiated by it after perusing a news report on the rise in violent attacks on doctors by attendants or relatives of patients.







The court from time to time, through the plea, has been issuing directions for ensuring safety and security of doctors and other medical staff.


As part of its directions, the court had asked the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH), a body under the Quality Council of India (QCI), to assess the quality of health care and working conditions of medical professionals at three hospitals in the national capital.


The hospitals to be inspected were All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Safdarjung Hospital and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan.


Today, NABH informed the bench that it has inspected the hospitals and sought time to submit its report.


Granting time to the organisation the court listed the matter for further hearing on May 14.


Read Also: Contempt proceedings if steps for doctors safety not taken: Delhi HC slams Govt
Tags:    

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Similar News