How – it is related to the specific institution, its size, whether it is an individual person, but in any case, the patient must have a clear picture, a clear road map, where and how he can go,”
explained Arnis Bluķis, head of the Quality and Risk Management Department of the Health Inspectorate.
However, the hospital cannot take more serious measures in relation to specific doctors, especially if they are employees of several medical institutions.
And this is where another mechanism called for two years ago should start working – the disciplinary responsibility of doctors in cases of ethical violations, even with the possible annulment of the certificate, which was instigated at that time by the Latvian Association of Physicians (LAB).
Now the question has been brought up again.
LĀB lawyer Elita Vīksne says that more active discussions took place in March.
“And we have come to the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary. But the big question is finances,” she said.
Namely, funding would be needed for the commission that will carry out this work. Disciplinary responsibility would be assessed based on the suggestion of patients, the Health Inspectorate, and medical institutions.
There are still discussions about how disciplinary responsibility for ethical violations could manifest itself, as well as whether the evaluation would be entrusted to one or more institutions, but the last option – cancellation of the certificate, which was on offer, was not really considered. This is not supported by the Ministry of Health, because the aim is to prevent professional violations, not to prevent professional activity.
Instead, there might be certain duties to be performed, such as additional training. It is also accepted by the medical association.
Tags: approach discussions disciplinary responsibility doctors cases ethical violations
