can Dr.s cut off their patients?

Question

My Wife is a cronic pain patient and has been for over 10 years, and the pain that she endures is not surgicaly repairable . She sees pain management in lubbock Tx She has i pain pump that is incerted under the skin and is controled by a computer that only the dr has control over. In addition she also takes oral meds to help with the pain .I held the drs office accountable for not calling in her meds before the pharm closed and i had to drive 160 miles out of my way to pick up her meds because the incompantance of his office i believer he was lied to by his staff but in any event he has chose to discoutinue his services to her and we cannot find another dr to fill her pain pump before the medication runs out is it possible for drs to do this is there any legal ramifications

Answer 1

Not knowing the full situation, I can't make a call on it.
It may be that he feels the she has become to addicted to pain killers or feels that the patient or family member was being too beligerant in which case he either would have to send the person to drug rehab in the first case or terminate a patient in the second case.
If however he is unjustly doing this there may be grounds for legal action.

Answer 2

My partner is also a chronic pain patient and she gets treated pretty badly at times - her last pain doctor dismissed her from his practice because she lost her medication and asked for a prescription before it was due. (she really did lose the bottle)These doctors are the most uncaring bunch I've ever come across. I think in order to do anything legal about your situation, your wife's life would have to be in danger if the medication is cut off, but I don't know that for sure. You might consult with a lawyer who handles malpractice cases. Have you taken her to the emergency room, they might be able to do something or suggest a doctor to go to. Not that it helps, but you have my sympathy and empathy. Good luck.

Answer 3

As long as the doctor gave her a 30 days notice of termination. He/she can terminate a patient without any reason. Doctor has no obligation to keep a patient he/she does not want. That's held up in court of law, and patient probably won't win a litigation unless he/she did not get a 30 days notice.

Answer 4

I think you should check it out... I don't think a Doc can do that unless the circumstances are good enough, but then what do you define as good enough. Everyone has the right to a doctor or a dentist as thats what national insurance in the UK is for amongst other things... Surely the Doc dismissing your wife is a for of patient neglect.

Answer 5

A private doctor, one not paid by the government, can refuse service to anyone. The office is a business and is only held to laws governing a business. This is my understanding, but you should call an attorney and get a free consultation.