Chandigarh's GMSH-16 hospital to get dedicated ambulance service for Elderly Patients

Chandigarh: In a move to enhance patient care, the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH-16) in Chandigarh has announced a dedicated ambulance service for senior citizens and bedridden patients. This initiative was announced during the eighth Rogi Kalyaan Samiti (RKS) executive body meeting held on Friday at the GMSH- Sector 16, Chandigarh.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, also addressed other patient-centric services, including the establishment of a dedicated help desk for patients visiting the outpatient department (OPD), gynaecology, and emergency wards. Additionally, the committee decided to hire six caretakers who will assist patients who do not have attendants. These caretakers will provide essential support, including helping patients with wheelchairs, obtaining medicines, and assisting with medical tests.

According to the news reports, the proposal to hire data entry operators (DEOs) for registration counters and offer the first 24 hours of free treatment to all emergency patients at GMSH-16, currently being run on a pilot basis, was also discussed during the meeting. These services will be implemented after receiving approval from the governing body.

Before the executive meeting, Deputy Commissioner Yadav, along with senior health department officials, toured the hospital to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided. Their inspection included visits to various departments, including the emergency department, intensive care unit, post-natal ward, labor room (CLR), advanced pediatric centre, and the proposed area for the emergency wing’s expansion.

Also Read: Kolkata Private Hospitals Introduce Ambulance Services to Improve Emergency Response

As per the recent media report by TOI, Yadav interacted with patients and staff, focusing on cleanliness, availability of medicine, quality of diet, and privacy of the patients, especially in the labour room, emergency wing, and post-natal wards. He appreciated the provision of cubicle curtains and partitions in the hospital. He inquired about the length of stay of patients in the hospital and stressed the importance of quality healthcare services during their stay.

In the advanced pediatric centre area, health officials apprised the DC of the services being offered to pediatric patients, including the provision for admission of newborn and low birth weight babies with complications. Health officials also informed Yadav about the hospital’s tele-consultation services, which allow patients to consult with specialists from tertiary care facilities like PGIMER, Chandigarh, for advanced treatment and diagnoses.

According to TOI, the DC was also informed about the robust referral system adopted by the health department. The proposed site for the expansion of emergency services to decongest the emergency triage area and decrease the number of patients on trolleys was discussed, and the DC directed the authorities concerned to expedite the construction of the expansion of the emergency triage area as proposed.