If you have a complaint or concern about the service you have received from the doctors, nurses or any other member of staff working at this practice, please let us know. We operate a practice complaints procedure as part of the NHS system for dealing with complaints. Our complaints system meets national criteria.
Making a complaint
We hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, often at the time they arise and with the person concerned. You may ask to speak to the practice manager who will aim to resolve the issue and offer you further advice on the complaints procedure, If your problem cannot be resolved in this way and you wish to make a formal complaint, we would like you to let us know as soon as possible; as this will enable us to establish what happened more easily. If it is not possible to raise your complaint immediately, please let us have details of your complaint within the following timescales:
- within 12 months of the incident that caused the problem;
OR
- within 12 months from the point which you became aware of the problem
Ideally we request a written complaint (via letter or email) with as much details as possible. We can also accept formal complaints verbally; please ask to speak to Joanne Woods (practice manager).
What we shall do
The practice will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 10 working days. The practice manager will usually also try to contact you via telephone to discuss the issues raised. We aim to look into all complaints within 28 working days of the complaint being raised. As soon as we have investigated the complaint we will either offer you an explanation, or arrange a meeting with you to discuss the complaint (whichever you prefer), to agree with you how the complain is going to be investigated.
When the practice looks into your complaint it aims to:
- Find out the full circumstances of the events; what went wrong and why
- Make arrangement for you to discuss the problem with those concerned, (if you would like this);
- Identify what the practice can do to make sure the problem does not happen again
Complaining on behalf of someone else
Please note that we keep strictly to the rules of medical confidentiality. If you are complaining on behalf of someone else, the practice needs to know that you have their permission to do so. A note signed by the person concerned will be required, unless they are incapable of providing this due to illness, disability or death. Normally the parents or guardian of a child may complain on their behalf. This practice manager will be happy to discuss with you your individual circumstances.
Complaining to other agencies
We hope that if you have a problem with staff or service provided at Whitehall surgery, you will feel able to use our practice complaints procedure. Indeed if you make a complaint we ensure that you are not discriminated against or subjected or any negative effect on you are of treatment. However if you feel you cannot raise your complaint with us you can contact one of the following services for advice.
Patients advisory and liaison service (PALS)
PALS provide a confidential service and can tell you more about the complaints procedure and may be able to help you resolve your complaints informally. Your local PALS office can be found at:
Phone: 0800 052 5270
Textphone (Minicom): 0113 206 7169
Leeds Independent Health Complaints Advocacy
Advonet is a free, confidential advice service independent to the NHS. Contact them for help with your complaint.
Phone: 0113 244 0606
Fax: 0113 244 0178
Website: http://www.advonet.org.uk
Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
Suite 2-4 WIRA House, WIRA Business Park, Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6EB
Phone: 0113 843 5236
NHS England
PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT
Phone: 0300 311 2233
Email: [email protected]
Ombudsman
If you are not satisfied with the response from this practice, you can refer your complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman who investigates complaints about the NHS in England.
Phone: 0345 015 4033
Website: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/
Textphone (Minicom): 0300 061 4298
Care Quality commission (CQC)
If you have a genuine concern about a staff member or regulated activity carried on by this practice then you can contact the Care Quality Commission.
Phone: 03000 616161
Website: http://www.cqc.org.uk/