Complaints To Local Hospitals

Copyright (c) 2011 Julie Glynn

If you have been to hospital to receive medical treatment and something has gone wrong, you may be feeling upset and angry. If this has happened, you may want to consider making an official complaint to the hospital in question. This article guides you through the process, advising you how to make a complaint to a local hospital and who to contact for further assistance.

How Do I Make A Complaint To A Hospital?

If you are not happy with the treatment you have received in hospital, or a hospital has denied you treatment altogether, then you have the legal right to make a complaint. Furthermore, you have the right for that complaint to be fully investigated and to have a comprehensive response. But where exactly do you start?

Firstly, you should make your complaint as soon as possible after the incident. Usually complaints should be registered within 12 months of the date your complaint occurred. However, this time-frame can be extended for many reasons - for example, you were grieving or you were suffering from trauma, meaning you could not complain at an earlier stage.

Once you have decided to make a formal complaint, you should ask either the hospital or the hospital's Primary Care Trust (PCT) for a copy of their complaint's procedure. This is because every NHS organisation has its own complaints process, the guidelines of which can also be found on the website of both the local hospital and the Trust.

Local Resolution Complaints Procedure.

While the precise course of action may differ from hospital to hospital, all will follow the 'Local Resolution Complaints Procedure'. This generally involves raising the complaint with the hospital, either in writing or orally. The hospital should then explore the incident, and as part of their investigation they may ask you to attend a meeting. A full and prompt response to the complaint should then be provided.

However, some may not find a local hospital's complaint procedure satisfactory. If this is the case, then you may want to contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. This is an organisation completely independent of the government and the NHS, and will investigate your complaint from the beginning.

Need Help Making A Complaint To A Hospital?

If you need any advice or help when making a complaint to a local hospital, there are a number of bodies you can contact, including:-

* Patient Advice and Liaison Service;

* Citizens Advice Bureau;

* NHS Direct;

* Independent Complaints Advocacy Service.

Additionally, you might want to speak to a solicitor, as you may be able to make a medical negligence claim against the hospital responsible. An expert medical negligence solicitor will be able to assess all the information before advising you on the best course of action.

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