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Making a complaint about medical treatment
If you are dissatisfied with the medical treatment that you or a family member have received then you are entitled to make a complaint.
This guide will help you to prepare a complaint letter and provide information regarding where you should send your complaint to. There are different procedures to follow to make a complaint depending upon whether your treatment was provided through the NHS or privately.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your complaint and wish to seek legal advice, call our specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form and someone will call you back. You may be entitled to compensation if the medical treatment you received was negligent.
Medical treatment complaint time limits
A medical treatment complaint should be made at the earliest opportunity and, at the most, within 12 months of the relevant treatment. This guideline is in place to ensure that the doctors, nurses etc recollection of events is clear and to ensure that your medical records are readily available for review.
The NHS has discretion to consider complaints outside of 12 months and will consider issues such as the duration of your illness and the date that you were first aware of concerns regarding your medical treatment.
It is always worthwhile submitting a letter of complaint, even if you are outside the time limits as they may respond.
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Useful contacts for medical complaints
When submitting a medical treatment complaint the following contact details could be useful.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service - exist within most NHS Hospitals |
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman |
Independent Healthcare Advisory Service |
Independent External Adjudication Secretariat |
Care Quality Commission |
General Medical Council |
Nursing and Midwifery Council |
General Dental Council |
General Chiropractor Council |
Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) |
If you would like help with making a complaint:
You can ask your local Healthwatch to put you in touch with the NHS complaints advocacy provider for your area.
Website - www.healthwatch.co.uk or call Healthwatch England on 03000 683 000.
You could go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
You could contact Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
Website - www.avma.org.uk or call the Medical Accident Helpline - 0845 123 2352.
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