Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to Athma Rehabilitation Centre ("Athma", "we", "us", "our"), part of Athma Hospitals — a mental health, psychiatric, and rehabilitation care institution established in 1993 and headquartered in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, with units across Tamil Nadu. By accessing our website, booking an appointment, using our tele-consultation services, or engaging with any of our digital or in-person services, you ("Patient", "Visitor", "User", or "Caregiver") agree to be bound by the following Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully before proceeding.

2. Definitions

Centre / Institution refers to Athma Rehabilitation Centre and all its branches.
Patient refers to any individual seeking or receiving care at Athma.
Caregiver / Guardian refers to a family member, legal guardian, or authorised representative of a patient.
Services refers to all in-person, residential, rehabilitation, tele-consultation, online, emergency, and community-based services offered by Athma.
Website refers to athmamindcity.com and all associated digital platforms.

3. Scope of Services

Athma provides the following Services, each subject to clinical eligibility and availability:

• Dementia care and specialised elderly memory care
• Psychiatric care — outpatient (OP) and residential treatment
• Substance & behavioural addiction — holistic treatment and rehabilitation
• Online / tele-consultation with rehabilitation and psychiatric specialists
• Ambulance services (24/7)
• Psychometric and clinical assessment packages
• Community awareness programs and family-therapy sessions
• Emergency psychiatric and rehabilitation services (24/7, reachable at +91 89258 79194)

Service availability may vary by location. Athma reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service at any time without prior notice.

4. Appointment Booking & Tele-Consultation

Appointments may be booked through our website, WhatsApp, or by calling our helpline. Slots are subject to doctor availability and may be rescheduled by the centre with reasonable notice. Patients are requested to arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled consultation; failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the slot.

For tele-consultations, the patient or caregiver is responsible for a stable internet connection — Athma is not liable for disruptions on the patient's end. Tele-consultations are not a substitute for emergency in-person care; in a psychiatric or medical emergency, contact our helpline or visit the nearest facility immediately.

5. Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

• To receive dignified, compassionate, non-discriminatory care regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, or economic status
• To be informed about diagnosis, treatment plan, and progress in a clear, understandable manner
• To confidentiality of medical records in accordance with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
• To seek a second opinion or request a change of treating doctor where clinically feasible
• To withdraw consent for treatment at any point, subject to safety considerations under applicable law

Patient Responsibilities

• To provide accurate and complete medical, psychiatric, and personal history
• To follow the prescribed treatment plan and attend follow-up consultations
• To treat staff, doctors, and fellow patients with respect
• To refrain from bringing prohibited substances onto centre premises
• To disclose known allergies, concurrent medications, or prior psychiatric treatment

6. Admission & Inpatient Care

Inpatient admission requires a formal assessment by our clinical team and is granted solely on clinical necessity. For patients admitted under voluntary, semi-voluntary, or involuntary status, procedures follow the guidelines set under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Caregivers must remain contactable and co-operate with the treating team on care planning and discharge preparation.

Athma reserves the right to discharge a patient who is non-compliant with treatment or poses a risk to staff or other patients. Families requesting premature discharge against medical advice (LAMA) must sign a formal declaration acknowledging the associated risks.

7. Billing & Payment

Charges for consultations, investigations, inpatient care, medications, and therapies are as per Athma's published fee schedule, available at our billing desk. Payments are due in advance or at the time of service, unless a prior credit arrangement has been authorised. Itemised bills are issued for all services; a detailed statement may be requested at any time. Refunds, where applicable, follow Athma's refund policy and are not guaranteed for services already rendered. Billing disputes must be raised in writing within 7 days of receiving the invoice.

8. Confidentiality & Medical Records

All patient information — diagnosis, treatment history, and personal details — is strictly confidential and will not be shared with any third party without written consent, except as required by law. Records are maintained securely through our EMR & HMS software. Patients or legal guardians may request access to their records via a formal written application, subject to a nominal administrative fee. Anonymised patient data may be used for research, training, or quality-improvement purposes, in compliance with applicable data-protection laws.

9. Emergency Services

Athma operates a 24/7 emergency helpline reachable at +91 89258 79194. Emergency care is provided to all individuals in psychiatric or physical distress, regardless of prior registration or financial status. In life-threatening emergencies, Athma may administer necessary treatment without prior consent, in accordance with the MHCA 2017 and applicable medical-ethics guidelines.

10. Website Use & Online Content

Content on this website — text, images, videos, and other materials — is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It must not be used to self-diagnose or self-medicate; always consult a qualified professional. Users must not misuse the website by uploading harmful, offensive, or unlawful content. Athma does not guarantee uninterrupted availability of the website, which may be taken down for maintenance without notice. All intellectual property on the website — including the Athma name, logo, content, and design — belongs exclusively to Athma; unauthorised reproduction is strictly prohibited.

11. Third-Party Links & Services

Our website may link to third-party sites (booking platforms, WhatsApp, social media). Athma is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of any third-party site. Access to such sites is entirely at the user's own risk.

12. Limitation of Liability

Athma, its doctors, staff, and management shall not be held liable for adverse outcomes arising from incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the patient or caregiver, failure to adhere to the prescribed treatment plan, or events outside the centre's reasonable control (force majeure). Our liability in any matter shall not exceed the total fees paid for the specific service in question. Athma does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes — results vary based on individual clinical circumstances.

13. Grievance Redressal

Patients and caregivers with a concern may speak directly to the treating doctor or nursing in-charge, submit a written complaint to the centre administration, use the query feature on our website, or contact us via WhatsApp. All complaints are acknowledged within 48 hours and addressed promptly, fairly, and transparently.

14. Photography & Recording

Photography, audio, or video recording of patients, staff, or centre premises is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from centre administration. Violation of this policy may result in immediate removal from the premises.

15. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

16. Amendments

Athma reserves the right to modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on the website with an updated effective date. Continued use of our Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.