MAKING
A COMPLAINT
If something goes wrong, or you are
unhappy with a service, you have a right to make a complaint.
There is a complaints procedure that hospitals, GPs
etc. must follow.
Confidentiality
Your confidentiality is of the utmost
importance. Please do not include personal, sensitive
or confidential information in an email. Give a general
outline of the problem, and your contact details, and
we will contact you to speak to you personally.
You can get help to make your complaint.
Contact the Western Health and Social Services Council.
COMPLAINTS CAN HELP TO IMPROVE A SERVICE
The complaints procedure is not
a legal procedure and cannot provide compensation for
medical negligence.
The Council's Role in Complaints
If you would like to discuss
your complaint or need help with it please contact the
Council's complaints officer.
While the Council cannot investigate
complaints on your behalf, we can:
 |
Advise
you on how to make a complaint. |
|
Advise
you who to complain to. |
|
Help
you with making your complaint. |
You can contact the Council's
complaints officer at any stage of the complaints procedure.
The Council cannot provide medical
or legal advice but we can advise you how to get it.
When Something Goes Wrong
Try to make your complaint as
soon as possible. Complaints should be brought within
6 months of the event - or within 6 months of you realising
there was something to complain about, provided it is
not more than 12 months from the event. The Trust /
practitioner can waive the time limits if there is a
good reason for the delay and it is still possible to
investigate the complaint.
If in doubt - MAKE YOUR
COMPLAINT ANYWAY. The Trust
/ practitioner will tell you if it is no longer possible
to investigate it.
Tell the member of staff who
is dealing with you. Many problems can be sorted out
quickly in this way.
If you find this difficult -
or you cannot agree with them - speak to their manager
or the complaints officer.
|
