NHS COMPLAINTS - HOSPITAL NEGLIGENCE - GP COMPLAINT
The service in charge of overlooking and investigating NHS complaints is known as the Health Service Ombudsman (HSO). An initial complaint must be made to the local healthcare trust and if it is not resolved to the satisfaction of the patient or the patients representative only then can it be referred to the HSO. The local NHS authority, or health authority, can also be contacted in the event that a complaint is handled in a less than satisfactory manner. A complaint of hospital negligence to the HSO needs to be made within one year of the incident however if there are extenuating circumstances this time period can be extended.
It is worth noting that if you intend to make a claim for compensation for medical negligence and there is insufficient evidence available to prove the claim, then the response by a Health Care Trust to an NHS complaint about hospital negligence may reveal vital information that can be used to base a claim. Support is available and help and assistance can be provided by a solicitor or by the Citizens Advice Bureau.
To make a GP complaint you should telephone or visit the surgery in question and the receptionist or manager can tell you how to make a GP complaint and what procedure to follow. To make an NHS complaint about hospital negligence simply contact the health authority for your local area by telephone or in writing. Contact details are to be found in the phone book or via directory enquiries and you should ask to speak to the “complaints manager”.
If you have suffered personal injury and you fear you may have been the victim of incompetence or negligence then there is no time for delay. In order to know what options you have you should seek expert legal advice as soon as possible. Our solicitors operate a free service whereby you can meet us in person or chat over the telephone with one of our friendly experts and obtain initial advice. If you subsequently decide to proceed no further then that is your right and you will not be charged for our initial advice.
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