Consumer Council Urges Government ⁢to Push Urgent‌ Measures ​to Fix Bangkok Gold Card Clinic ⁢Referral Form Issues

The‍ Consumer Council‍ has identified a significant problem with clinics in Bangkok not issuing referral forms for gold card patients, resulting⁣ in⁤ delays in treatment. The council is pushing the Prime Minister to ⁤implement‌ urgent and long-term measures for consumer protection, ‍including ordering the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to solve ‍the problem ⁤and design an appropriate payment system.

The issue was highlighted in a case involving Om Community Clinic and the NHSO in Bangkok, where many ⁣consumers⁣ were refused the issuance of a​ patient report form and were charged fees for issuing ‍delivery notes.

Ms. Monruedee Pho-in, Deputy Head of the Policy and Innovation Department ⁢at the Consumer Council, emphasized that access to quality healthcare services is a fundamental right of citizens ​that the government must ensure. She ​stated that the⁣ problem of referred patients is still ‍a major issue that consumers face,⁢ and the​ Consumer Council is working to find a solution quickly.

Proposed Solutions to⁣ Urgent Problems

The Consumer Council has proposed‌ the following measures to solve urgent‍ problems:

• Having the NHSO cooperate with primary care units and Warm Community clinics to solve problems with ‍the⁣ patient referral system.
• Establishing rules for sending patients and ⁤designing an appropriate payment system.
• Presentation and clear communication of the⁤ policy of “30 baht treatment everywhere”, including notification ‌of places where ⁣people can⁢ receive services.

Proposals to Solve Accessibility⁤ Problems

To ⁢solve ​long-term⁤ problems⁣ of access to health services, the Consumer Council has proposed the following:

• Regulatory​ agencies should develop​ and ​upgrade the ​service potential of ‍various public health⁢ service centers to provide services comparable to ‌those offered by community hospitals.
• Cooperation with private hospitals in Bangkok to allow private ‌hospitals to ‌participate in patient referral, especially in ⁤specialized‌ patient groups.

“We expect⁣ to receive a response⁢ and ‌find a solution quickly⁢ for people. If there are ​problems with referred patients that people encounter all ⁤the time, they can complain​ to the NHSO on the⁣ toll-free number 1330 or to the Consumer Council on 1502,” said⁢ Ms. Monruedee‍ Pho-in.