NHS COMPLAINT

The Health Service Ombudsman may investigate an NHS complaint if the outcome of a local complaint is considered unsatisfactory by the applicant. Enquiries should initially be made at the local hospital, clinic or surgery regarding the procedure which will be contained in a free leaflet. If the initial outcome is unsatisfactory then the local NHS trust or Health Authority can be asked to have the matter reviewed by an independent panel. Only after this stage is the matter likely to be considered by the Ombudsman. Application to the Ombudsman must be made within one year of the event giving rise to the problem although in certain circumstances the time limit may be extended.

• To complain about a general practitioner or family doctor telephone or visit the surgery or practice and the receptionist will be able to tell you how to make a complaint and who to contact.
• To complain about an NHS hospital or clinic, the telephone number and address of the trust or health authority will be in the phone book. Ask to speak to the complaints manager, or address correspondence to ‘the Complaints Manager’.
• The Ombudsman - The Health Service Ombudsman for England, 11th Floor, Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP, Telephone 0345 015 4033
• The local Community Health Council who are independent and can provide information, advice and support to members of the public who may wish to make complaints will assist in making the complaint upon request. The local Citizens Advice Bureau will also provide advice.
• The Health Information Service (0800 665544) will provide information about how the complaints system works.

Medical negligence is conduct by a professional health care provider that departs from the standard of care of those with similar training and experience which results in harm to a patient. There are deadlines within which either the claim must be settled or legal proceedings must be issued in a court of law which are governed by legislation contained in “The Limitation Act 1980”. Failure to comply with these deadlines will prevent the recovery of compensation and advice should always be sought from a solicitor as soon as possible after discovery of the event giving rise to a potential claim in order to preserve your legal rights. Medical negligence compensation can either be paid in a lump sum or in more serious cases may be paid by way of a “structured settlement” which means that the payment may be a combination of an up-front payment and periodical payments on a regular basis for the life of the victim.

We are a national network of independent solicitors who deal with clinical negligence compensation claims and we are all members of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts. If you have been through the NHS complaint proceedure and wish to make application for medical negligence damages we can help you to preserve your legal right to compensation. We are franchised to make an immediate application for legal aid and for those who do not meet the financial criteria for public funding we are prepared to consider talking action under the no win no fee scheme. If you would like free advice direct from a specialist solicitor with no further obligation just complete the contact form and a clinical law expert will contact you as soon as possible.