WBCERC directs two private hospitals to pay compensation for overcharging, negligence in service

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2020-11-14T15:00:19+05:30 | Updated On 14 Nov 2020 3:00 PM IST

WBCERC directs two private hospitals to pay compensation for overcharging, negligence in service

Calcutta: Cracking a whip on two famous private facilities of West Bengal, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) through its recent orders has directed the facilities to initiate refunds and pay compensation for medical negligence and overcharging.

The hospitals which recently came under the radar of the commission included CMRI Hospital and Health World Hospital, Durgapur.

Also Read: WBCERC directs Hospital to pay Rs 50000 compensation for negligence

In the first case, a complainant alleged that the hospital has overcharged her for the treatment of her husband. The commission while considering the submission of the complainant, observed that the doctors have not been negligent in their duties and the patient is in fact in a good health, however, there were some inconsistencies in the billing process. The hospital handed over the patient a bill of Rs 10 lakhs. The hospital secured Rs 6 lakhs from PPA and Rs 3 lakhs was paid by the patient. The commission found that the hospital has charged Rs 8000 for ICU beds, 5000 for isolation bed, and 2500 for general bed.

Despite these charges, Rs 750 have also been charged during his almost one month of stay for junior doctors. Moreover, the commission had earlier directed all the medical facilities to give at least 10 to 20 percent discount on medicines and consumables but the hospital has not provided that. Though when the hospital delivered the bill the direction of the commission was not issued, the commission previously instructed all the hospitals to charge them within a limited scale while applying some principles. Hence, the commission directed the hospital to initiate a refund of Rs 74000 in this regard.

Moreover, the court also found that the tests were conducted at a reasonable price but the pathological tests were continued regularly for 29 days. There was also some amount charged for nurses regularly but in this regard, the hospital has been given a benefit of the doubt. After considering the whole submission, the commission has instructed the hospital to deliver a Rs 128000 refund to the patient which the hospital agreed to do.

In the second case, the complainant alleged that the patient was admitted to the Health World Hospital of Durgapur. He has been charged Rs 4 lakhs. However, he claimed that the hospital authorities refused to provide him with his medical reports. He also added that the doctors were negligent in their duties and misbehaved with him during his stay at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the hospital stated that clinical records could not be provided to the patient as the person responsible for handling the records had to take a leave due to an emergency but there was no misbehavior on the part of the doctors. However, the commission directed the hospital to immediately provide him with the clinical records and also instructed it to deliver a fine of Rs 50000 rupees for withholding the clinical records. The commission further ordered the hospital to deliver the letter of regret along with the penalty. Out of the penalty, Rs 40000 will be given to the patient as compensation.

medical negligenceWBCERCprivate medical facilityprivate hospitals

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.