Doctor refused help; Patient died

Doctor refused help; Patient died: The professional court for health professionals Giessen sentenced a physician to a fine of 3000 euros. The court found it proven that the general practitioner had violated his professional duties.

In the present case, a doctor was assigned to the nightly emergency service. Family members and a senior had gone to an ambulance, as the elderly lady complained about complaints. But even after repeated ringing at the front door of the doctor's office no one opened. A little later, the elderly lady died. The accused physician, however, denied the fact that he had knowingly not opened the door. Rather, he had waited in vain for the patient in the time from 23.00 bis 23.20 clock on the said day.

However, the court came to the conviction that the relatives had indeed rung in vain at the door. The verdict stated that a doctor, in accordance with his obligation § 23 of the Hessian Health Care Act is divided into emergency services, must examine all patients who ask for medical help. For this, the doctor must not only be reached by phone, but actually in his practice. Since the relatives were ringing in vain, the physician had not been found. The court sentenced the doctor to a fine of 3000 euros. In addition, the general practitioner got a reprimand because of „Violation of the professional duties of a doctor“. (sb, 08.11.2010)

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Picture: HHS