RML revises rule, doctors will see more patients now

A week after Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital announced to bring down the number of patients doctors see in four super-specialty OPDs to 150, the hospital revised its decision following an internal meeting.

“The decision to put a cap on the number of patients who attend the four super-specialty OPDs remains. However, we decided that 250 patients will be accommodated in each of these OPDs per day as opposed to the initial 150. This is with effect from May 1,” said H K Kar, medical superintendent of the hospital.

“I called a meeting to discuss the possibilities to improve the quality of treatment for patients. And we realised, several patients will have to be turned away if we bring it down to 150,” added Kar.

The four departments in which the new rule has been implemented are neurology, neurosurgery, endocrinology and urology.

With no cap till last month, patients once given slips could not be turned away.

Ruckus on April 25

The revised rule came after doctors in the neurology OPD complained of ruckus on April 25. Also, they said it was impossible for as few as six doctors to treat over 600 patients properly.

“There was chaos after hospital staff jumped the queue to get their relatives checked first. This has been the pattern for a long time now,” said a hospital source.

Adding further it said, “However, last Friday, doctors retaliated saying this practice cannot go on. It was a nurse who was trying to push her way through.”

Following this incident, a circular has been issued to hospital staff which strictly prohibits them from jumping queues. 

“The security guards have also been briefed not to entertain such practices. Now on, they have to get in like any other patient when her turn comes,” he added.

To maintain order, 10 patients were let in at a time inside each of the super-specialty OPDs on Friday.