Rigid rules??
If innappropriate, rigid rules are applied in a case like this, and this is harmful to the patient, I believe the courts would not be sympathetic. People are expected to be able to think, and to do it. Not helping,because of a technicality could be construed as obstruction.
I sympathise with the ATC'ers who have to risk their jobs to do the right thing. I have had to do that myself more than once.