Pune Doctor booked over death of patient due to negligence

Arvind Gokule, a senior police inspector at Hadapsar police station told HT "After the initial investigation we have registered a case against the neuropsychiatrist and hospital staff. Considering the patient's previous suicidal attempt history, the hospital and its staff should have taken proper care while treating such a patient."

Also read- Uttarakhand: Govt Doctor, Nursing Officer Suspended For Medical Negligence

Soumitra Pathare, consultant psychiatrist, and director of the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy said "There is a difference between mistake and negligence. We have to maintain a balance between them. For every psychological patient with a history of suicidal attempts, risk assessment is necessary. Patients have been categorised under high risk, medium risk and moderate risk and a further line of treatment have been defined. But this risk assessment is also not full proof. We can mitigate risk but can't avoid it completely. In case of 'gross negligence' action will be taken against the concerned doctor. It is not good to speak about this particular case as I do not have all the details."

Denying all the allegations, Dr Shinde said, "These are baseless allegations, police have visited the hospital and done an inquiry about the incident. The patient's family members are threatening me and demanding money.''