Better protection for patients under new Health Act

NST: PUTRAJAYA:Operators of private hospitals and clinics will be hauled to court if they fail to investigate complaints by patients and provide answers within 14 days.
This protection for a person seeking the services of doctors at private facilities, including dental clinics, is part of a grievance mechanism provided under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, which comes into effect on May 1.
Medical Practices director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub told about 500 people from the private healthcare sector yesterday that any member of the public who was unhappy with the service could complain to the clinic or hospital authorities.
If the authorities fail to investigate the verbal or written complaint or fail to provide their findings within 14 days, the director- general of health will step in to investigate.
He would then make his recommendations known to the complainant and the hospital or clinic.
"The hospital’s or clinic’s failure to comply will result in legal action," said Dr Khairi.
Also present at the briefing at the Health Ministry were minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, his deputy, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, and director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican.
A novel feature of the Act is that private healthcare facilities are required to make social contributions. The Health Minister will decide on the type and quantum.
This may include setting up a patients’ fund, offering discounts, providing welfare wards or beds and free services to the disabled and residents of old folk’s homes, and public education.
Other provisions include:
• Private hospitals cannot turn away patients who require emergency treatment even if they cannot afford a deposit.
• All deaths must be reported to the director-general.
• Policy statements on billing procedures prior to treatment, consent and medical reports must be drawn up to ensure safety and quality.
At a Press conference after the briefing, Dr Chua said the Act would be implemented in three stages: first in the Klang Valley, then in the northern and southern States, and finally in Sabah and Sarawak.
"It will be six months before there is full implementation. We are doing this in stages because there are a lot of complexities in the Act and we want to give the sector time to familiarise itself."
All private hospitals, maternity and nursing homes, ambulatory care centres, haemodialysis centres, blood banks, hospices, psychiatric hospitals, community health centres and psychiatric nursing homes must now be licensed to operate. Private medical and dental clinics will also have to register with the ministry.
"This Act is good for the health industry as it will regulate healthcare, more so when health services are becoming commercialised and the cost is escalating," he said.
Patients could rest assured that the minimum standards of care were being met, he said.
Dr Chua said he would determine whether a board of visitors should be set up at each private healthcare facility to foster good relations between hospitals and the community.
Dr Chua, Dr Ismail and Dr Khairi spent more than an hour taking questions from those present.