West Bengal: Health panel chalks out workshops for private hospitals

KOLKATA: In an attempt to bring down the number of complaints against private hospitals, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has chalked out a series of workshops with private health units starting July first week.

The health panel has identified five problem areas, which the commission believes if improved can make a difference in bringing down patient grievances. Five hospitals have been selected as the place for the workshop where other hospitals will send their representatives.

"While assessing the numerous complaints, we have identified five critical areas. We want to hold workshop with private hospitals on these issues," said WBCERC chairman Ashim Kumar Banerjee.

The issues the commission has zeroed in on are patient's first interface with the hospital, admission and discharge, billing, infection control mechanism and critical care management.

On Friday, the health commission met five hospitals - Tata Medical Centre, RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, CMRI, Belle Vue and Apollo - where the workshops will be held. Each of the five hospitals have been given the responsibility of one of the five issues. Representatives from about 60 private hospitals that has 100 beds and above are expected to take part.

The workshop begins on July 6 from Tata Medical Centre and ends on August 4 at Apollo. A core committee will work out on the nitty-gritty of the workshop. The commission will also be touring Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong next week.