Half of health inspectors have no clear protocols

Half of the regulatory authorities that license hospitals, clinics and healthcare professionals in Dubai have no clear procedures for inspecting facilities and handling clinical complaints, according to a member of the regulation team at Dubai Health Authority.

The comments come days after it was announced that a single regulatory body is to be set up to replace the 10 separate bodies that currently exist, in a bid to boost the quality of care offered to patients.

Dr Mhd. Oussama, told MT that half did not have ‘clear’ inspection protocols, while six out of the 10 could not handle complaints of a clinical nature that needed to be investigated by healthcare professionals.

This is despite the fact that both functions are an essential part of any regulator’s responsibility, along with licensing and quality control, he added.

‘Almost 50 per cent of the authorities lack a clear inspection process and procedures, and others do inspections, but they are not structured. Less than 50 per cent have a complaints system for clinical complaints, others may have a complaints system but not for clinical complaints,’ he said.

Dr Oussama declined to name the failing authorities but said the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS), the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the free zones of Dubiotech and Dubai Healthcare City had clear procedures for inspection in place.

Other authorities include the Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police and ‘elements’ within the private sector, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) confirmed in a written press release last week.

The planned new regulatory system will draw up a set of strict standards on licensing, inspection, quality improvement and audit, complaints and enforcement, which should be rolled out within the year.

All healthcare providers and professionals will have to meet the standards before they can work in the Emirate, and adhere to on-going inspections and quality control, on issues such as infection control and continuing professional development, the DHA said.

DoHMS carried out 171 unannounced inspections in May and June this year, covering almost one third of all private sector hospitals and clinics, which included checking staff licenses, Dr Oussama added.

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