Emergency ‘referral’ ads to stop

A leading private hospital has agreed to end its promotional activities enticing rescuers to refer people to receive treatment there in emergencies, Wisit Tangnaphakorn, Health Service Support Department (HSSD) directorgeneral says.

Speaking yesterday, Dr Wisit said the hospital’s executives had agreed to stop the “referral” programme it launched after it was found it may violate the Sanatorium Act.

A combined team of officials from the Bureau of Sanatorium and Art of Healing and Legal Affairs Division was sent to inspect the hospital in Bangkok to determine whether its activities complied with regulations. He declined to name the hospital. The HSSD deputy director Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn said the executives understood the negative impacts of its programme on people’s health after speaking to the department’s officials.

Officials inspecting the hospital found a placard being put up to attract rescuers to send emergency patients to receive treatment there, Dr Wisit said.

A room reserved for rescuers to lounge in after referring people to the hospital was also found, he added.

The examination came after a message about the hospital’s promotional activities went viral, which said rescue teams that refer people to its hospital for treatment would earn points to receive a petrol coupon worth 250 baht.

Dr Wisit noted such activity put people who are in any crisis and disaster at risk. Rescuers would aim to send victims to he hospital that offers promotional activities instead of the nearest hospital, which would delay treatment, he said. The HSSD is investigating the alleged violation and the probe results would be ready in the next three days.

If the hospital is found guilty, it will be punished, he said. A hospital which launches promotions to entice patients can be liable of an ethical conduct breach, which carries a maximum jail term of one year and a fine up to 20,000 baht or both.