Registration Department Signs Old Prescriptions, Allots Room Numbers; Patients Allege Doctors Refuse to Continue on Existing Slips
SRINAGAR: Patients visiting the SMHS Hospital in Srinagar are allegedly being subjected to unnecessary hardship as they are being asked to obtain fresh prescriptions even when space remains available on their existing prescription slips.
Patients and their attendants allege that the hospital’s registration department accepts old prescriptions for medical check-ups, signs them and even provides room numbers on the same slips. However, they claim that when they reach the concerned doctors, they are often told to get a new prescription, despite sufficient space being available on the previous one.
The alleged practice has triggered criticism among patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections, who say they are being made to go through an additional bureaucratic process for what should be a routine follow-up consultation.
‘Why Issue a New Slip When the Old One Is Still Valid ?’
Patients questioned the logic behind the alleged practice, saying that if the registration department itself verifies the old prescription and assigns a consultation room, there appears to be little justification for forcing patients to purchase or obtain another prescription merely to have a doctor continue their treatment.
Activists have also raised questions over the alleged insistence on generating fresh records for patients who are already undergoing treatment at the hospital.
They alleged that the practice may be aimed at maintaining or showcasing higher numbers of patients being registered and attended to, while the actual burden and inconvenience are ultimately borne by patients.
However, these allegations could not be independently verified.
Poor Patients Allegedly Bear the Brunt
For patients travelling from distant areas, obtaining another prescription can mean standing in another queue, paying additional charges where applicable, and spending more time inside an already crowded hospital.
For elderly patients, attendants accompanying critically ill or financially vulnerable patients, and those travelling from remote areas, even a seemingly minor additional procedure can become a major ordeal.
Patients argue that a government hospital should simplify access to treatment rather than create additional hurdles for people who are already struggling to afford healthcare.
Questions Over Role of Senior Faculty
Patients and attendants have also raised another serious concern regarding the availability of senior doctors.
They allege that in some rooms, resident doctors are predominantly handling patients while senior faculty members are not readily accessible to those seeking consultation.
Some patients further alleged that those with contacts or references have a better chance of getting access to senior faculty, while ordinary patients are left waiting.
These are serious allegations and warrant an impartial inquiry rather than being dismissed outright.
Repeated Medication Changes Raise Questions
Some patients have also alleged that they are repeatedly prescribed new medication during subsequent visits, which they claim gives the impression of a system where treatment is being repeatedly altered without adequate explanation.
Such allegations, if found to have merit, raise important questions about continuity of care, patient counselling and clinical accountability.
It must be stressed that no conclusion can be drawn about the medical necessity of any particular prescription without reviewing the individual patient’s clinical condition and medical records.
Where Is the Accountability ?
The larger question is simple: If an old prescription is accepted, verified and assigned a room number by the registration department, why should a patient be forced to obtain another prescription merely to see the doctor?
And if senior faculty are available in the institution, why are patients alleging that access depends on influence, contacts or references?
A major government hospital cannot function on the basis of convenience for the system while patients are left to navigate unnecessary hurdles.
The administration needs to examine these complaints transparently, clarify the policy governing old and new prescriptions, ensure proper access to senior faculty and establish whether residents are being appropriately supervised.
Valley Online attempted to contact the concerned department for its response, but an official response could not be obtained despite repeated attempts.
The hospital administration should clarify whether there is any written policy requiring patients to obtain fresh prescriptions when space remains available on an existing slip—and, if such a policy exists, what exactly is its medical or administrative justification.
Patients seeking treatment deserve answers, not additional queues.
