Support for making an NHS Complaint
Complaints Advocacy Service
Every area of England has an independent NHS complaints advocacy service funded by the local authority. They can help you make a complaint about an NHS service or work out what you want to achieve from a complaint.
The contract for Coventry is with Voiceability.
About VoiceAbility
Voiceabilty are an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. "Our team will support you to make sure you are heard. We’ve been supporting people to be heard in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years".
You can get in touch by:
- visiting the website at www.voiceability.org
- emailing helpline@voiceability.org
- calling 0300 303 1660 (calls are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK)
Not sure what to do about raising your concern
To talk through your options about making a complaint or to find out which organisation to complain to contact Healthwatch Coventry.
Making a complaint about a Hospital or other NHS Trust
Informal
Contact the NHS Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) based in the NHS Trust. This provides a point of contact and help for patients, families and carers to resolve problems. Or make contact with a manager of the ward, or service to see if they can help with your issue.
Formal complaint
Make this in writing and send this to the contact details the trust gives for making an NHS complaint, usually the Chief Executive or Complaints manager.
The NHS trusts in Coventry and Warwickshire are:
Making a complaint about a GP or dental practice
Informal
Raise your issue informally with the practice manager to see if it can be addressed.
Formal complaint
To make a formal complaint - either write to the practice manager or complaints manager at the practice you wish to complain about.
Or you can complain to Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) (the commissioner of the service, this is the organisation that pays for the service orcare you received)
Every GP practice should have a complaints policy. This might be on their website or you can ask a member of staff for a copy.
Tips for making an Complaint
Making a complaint can be a daunting task, here are some tips for making a complaint.
