Summary
In continuing suo motu proceedings on Covid-19 patient care, the Court directed expert inspection and monitoring of hospitals, CCTV measures, permission for one willing attendant in an earmarked area and accessible helpdesks. It sought uniform implementation of the May 2020 discharge policy and reasonable testing and facility rates, with specified State variations where needed. Patients or relatives and hospitals were to receive copies of test reports. The proceedings remained pending.
Issues
- What measures were needed to ensure implementation of Covid-19 hospital-care guidelines.
- How patient information, attendants, discharge policy and testing rates should be addressed.
Held
- Existing guidelines required faithful implementation through continuous supervision. The Union Health Ministry was to constitute expert committees for Delhi, ensure at least weekly hospital visits, permit surprise inspections and receive reports. All States were to constitute expert teams and begin work within seven days. (¶¶ 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- Delhi hospitals were to make CCTV footage available to designated inspecting authorities; Delhi government Covid hospitals lacking cameras were to install them in wards. Other States’ Chief Secretaries were also to take steps for CCTV installation in Covid-dedicated hospitals for designated screening and remedial action. (¶ 13)
- Covid-dedicated hospitals were to allow one willing attendant in an earmarked area of the premises and establish helpdesks accessible in person and by telephone for enquiries about patients. (¶ 14)
- The Union Home Ministry could issue appropriate Disaster Management Act directions for uniform application of the revised discharge policy of 8 May 2020. The Union could also issue guidelines on reasonable Covid facility and testing rates, identifying any specific State or Union Territory differences. (¶¶ 15, 17)
- States and all concerned were to supply the patient’s report to the patient or relatives and the hospital. Intervenors could provide written suggestions to the Solicitor General and respective State counsel for consideration. (¶¶ 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Result
Directions issued in continuing proceedings; matter listed for the third week of July 2020.