Dealing With Complaints Flashcards
What is a complaint?
An expression of dissatisfaction
Legally, what do complaints require?
A response
Who are examples of people who complain?
- Patients
- Colleagues
- Employers
- Health boards/trusts
- GMC
- Police
- Courts
What are some things people may complain about?
- Alleged poor treatment
- Alleged poor performance
- Rudeness
- Not listening
- Failure to comply with job plans
- Health problems
- Fraud
- Criminal offences
What are ways to protect yourself from complaints?
- Join defence organisation
- Be aware of and follow GMC advice “Good Medical Practice”
- Be aware of local complaints procedure
- Put patients first
- Don’t be judgemental
- Don’t be afraid to refer or get second opinion
- Clinical audit
- Peer review
- Act responsibly
- Do not break the law
Who can you get support from when dealing with complaints?
- Can be stressful
- Seek support of supervisors and colleagues
- Should be disclosed to supervisors anyway
- GP
- BMA counselling service
- Student support
Do different NHS boards have different complaint procedures?
- Dealt with by complaints officer
- You will be interviewed to give your response to complaint
- Employer may evoke disciplinary action
What legislation guides how complaints must be dealth with?
Patients Rights Act
Summarise Scotland’s complaint procedure?
- Written complaints procedure must be clear and available for patients
- Complaints officer has 5 days to decide whether complaint dealt with informally or formally
- Must deal with complaint successfully as far as complainer is concerned
- Need to tell complainer immediately if wish to deal with it informally and gain agreement
- Documentation is very important
- If following formal procedure must acknowledge within 3 working days
- Decide whether requires written or verbal response, or meeting, to gather full information
- Give full response within 20 days unless impossible in which case let the patient know why the delay
- If patient remains dissatisfied might consider mediation
- Respond again and if patient still dissatisfied can contact NHS Ombudsman within 28 days
- Health board requires details of complaints quarterly
- Must comply with the Patient Rights Act
How long does complaints officer have to decide if they are dealing with a complaint formally or informally?
5 days
When must a full response to a complaint (outcome of investigation) be given to a patient?
Within 20 days
Who can patients contact if they are disatisfied with the outcome of a complaint?
NHS Ombudsman within 28 days
What are some patients rights under NHS legislation?
- Any complain about NHS services must be dealt with efficiently and have proper investigation
- Patients must know outcome of their complaint
- Can take their complaint to an independent Health Service Ombudsman if they are not satisfied how complaint was handled
- Can make claim for judicial review if they think they have been directly affected by unlawful act or decision
- Have right to compensation where they have been harmed by negligent treatment
Under NHS legislation, what does the NHS commit to in regards to complaints?
- Ensure patients treated with courtesy during complaint and given support
- Fact that patient complained will no adversely affect future treatment
- When mistakes happen they will be acknowledged, apologise, and explain what went wrong and put things right quickly, whilst ensuring that lessons are learned
Who does the Ombudsman make recommendations to after a complaint?
The NHS board
