If, for any reason, a person is unhappy with the treatment they received from an NHS health provider, they have the right to lodge a formal complaint. Although the NHS always welcomes feedback, as this helps it become more efficient, it is always a good idea to communicate with the NHS health provider that provided the service the person has issues with, as often the matter can be resolved. Should this not provide a satisfactory outcome, the best thing to do is contact an experienced medical negligence solicitor, who can guide you through the NHS complaints procedure.

NHS Health Care Providers

Each NHS health care provider would have their own complaints procedure in place, and once you have made contact with the relevant health care provider, they would inform you about the correct procedure to file a complaint. The Internet is always a good source of information, and if, for example, a person was seeking medical negligence solicitors in Sunderland, an online search is the best way to source such a legal expert, and with their guidance, claiming will be a formality.

Making Initial Contact

The first step in the process is to make contact with the relevant health care provider, and this is best done in writing, by registered post, as this gives you evidence of the correspondence. Of course, one should first seek the help of an experienced medical negligence lawyer who is local, and they can ensure that your claim is completed in accordance with the established procedure. As the lawyer has extensive experience in dealing with such complaints, he or she would be able to give you an accurate assessment of the strength of your claim.

Inclusions

The initial complaint letter should include the following information:

The aspect of care being complained about.

When and where the events in question occurred.

What the patient expects to receive from lodging the complaint.

The complaints process is not in place solely for the patient to claim compensation, although a sum could be awarded, should it be deemed appropriate.

Possible Outcomes

As stated above, it might be that the patient is awarded financial compensation, and the outcome could also include any of the following:

An explanation for what occurred.

An apology.

An indication that the NHS will take steps to improve performance.

Professional Guidance

If a patient decides to lodge a formal complaint to the relevant health care provider, they are well advised to seek out experienced legal assistance. This is a specialised branch of law and it can be very complex, and without the right help, the patient would be less likely to receive a satisfactory outcome, and if you feel that you have suffered due to medical or dental treatment, an online search will bring up a list of experienced medical negligence solicitors.

Once you have made contact with a solicitor who has medical negligence experience, they would invite to a free initial consultation, and after the legal expert learns the details of your situation, he or she would be able to advise you accordingly.