Important Things To Consider Before Filing A Legal Complaint Against The NHS

There are important factors you have to consider before you file a legal complaint against the NHS. This is what we will be considering in this guide.          

Reporting poor health services can bring about positive improvements in the system. According to NHS legislation, every patient has the legal right to make a complaint to the NHS regarding the type of medical care received. 

There are situations where something goes wrong in medical care and patients can’t keep silent about it. Our NHS solicitors can take you through the procedures. They offer you legal advice against NHS negligent care if you were seriously harmed.

If you were unhappy with the service you received at the NHS and you wish to make a complaint, there are some important things to consider before filing a legal complaint against the NHS. Making a complaint to nhs requires patients to follow the outlined nhs procedures. To better understand nhs complaints procedure read further in this article.

Filing A Legal Complaint Against The NHS

A formal complaint is a statement made by a patient who was discontented by the services of a healthcare provider, in order to prompt positive action and resolve their concerns. NHS treatment and care can go wrong sometimes, even with medical professionals. 

When medical errors occur, patients are expected to follow the complaint process to explain any dissatisfied service received. Filing a legal complaint against the NHS can be complex and time consuming. 

However, our solicitors can advise you on how best to go about it. Complaining about NHS treatment is definitely worth it. If a valid complaint is not considered, suing the NHS may be the next option. Our solicitors can help you claim against the NHS.

Is It Worth Complaining About The NHS?

Is it worth complaining about the nhs? Yes, it is worth complaining about the nhs if you experienced poor care that could have been avoided. This can prevent further mistakes from happening to other patients.

To claim against nhs for negligence, first seek advice from nhs solicitors as they can assist with hospital complaints compensation. However, if a valid complaint is ignored claimants are forced to take the nhs to court.

NHS negligence claims can take a different turn if the guilty party does not take responsibility for their action. Most times taking nhs to court is rare because almost all claims are settled before any court proceedings take place. To learn more on how to make a complaint about nhs, speak to an nhs complaints ombudsman.

Making A Complaint Using The NHS Complaints Procedure

Making a complaint gives the hospital or NHS a chance to treat those issues that border patients. Complaints are addressed based on the severity of the issue brought up, and it is further investigated. If a patient is not pleased with the way the NHS has dealt with the complaint, he or she can take a step further to bring their concerns to the health service ombudsman for proper resolution.

If the national health service or its staff were indeed negligent, they try to reach a resolution. They also take action to ensure such mistakes are avoided in future. If you make a complaint and the NHS doesn’t address your concerns, you may proceed to make a compensation claim 

If you have complained to the NHS service but were dissatisfied, you can reach out to a solicitor for advice on taking legal action.

Stages Of NHS Complaints Procedure

The complaints procedure applies to all healthcare providers within the NHS system, including primary health care, voluntary or independent providers. Before making a complaint, a patient must check if they meet the requirements. There are different stages of NHS complaints procedure especially if patients are not satisfied with the first response they receive.

Stage 1-  Contact A Primary Health Service Provider Directly.

This is one of the local solution processes. Here you can verbally complain to your general practice or the NHS hospital where you got treated. You will follow the General Practice complaints procedure, as soon as you confirm that you meet the requirements. 

Taking a local route to resolve your complaint can be an effective and quick solution to your problem. However, if a you are not satisfied with the response, you proceed to the next stage.

Stage 2-  Complain To A Commissioning Body.

Some organisations who provide medical care have commissioning bodies that deal with such complaints. They respond to complaints after further investigations. However, complaints can only be made to either a commissioning body or a primary health care provider, not both directly.

Stage 3- Contact NHS Complaints Ombudsman.

If you are unhappy about the response gotten in any of the above stages, you may contact the Health Ombudsman. Your complaint can be independently reviewed by the ombudsman. They have a good complaint handling solution and also under the local authority.

Stage 4- Complete A Complaint Document From The Ombudsman.

You will be required to fill a complaint form and a case will be files on your behalf. Once investigations are completed and complaint forms submitted, you need to give them time to look into your complaint.

Stage 5- Await Response From Local Government Ombudsman.

Usually complaints reach a resolution within this stage, but some can proceed to court in serious cases that involve injuries or death resulting from medical negligence.  

Stage 6- Contact Our NHS Solicitors.

If you are still dissatisfied about their response then you could take legal action by contacting our NHS solicitors. Our solicitors will offer an instant claims assessment and review your case before investigations begin. They will also gather all information and evidence needed to prove your case.

Stage 7- Contact The Respondent.

The defendant will be contacted on your behalf while investigations are going on. If you choose one of our solicitors, we guarantee that you will get maximum NHS compensation for your injury if you are eligible.

Stage 8- Get Maximum Compensation Settlement.

Our nhs negligence solicitors help claimants to get the maximum compensation they deserve for their injury. They ensure to negotiate and value the amount that you will be awarded.

Stage 9 – Proceed To Court If A Settlement Is Not Reached.

Most claims are resolved before they get to court, except in special cases. For instance, where it involves wrongful death or other serious issues with misdiagnosis. Claims also go to court if the defendant denies liability.

What Type Of Complaints Can Be Made?

The medical staff in the NHS are to uphold the best standard when attending to patients. Treatments and surgeries should be carried out with all professionalism. Anything short of high standard care can spell nhs negligence if it results to severe injuries, traumas, pain or loss. Medical professionals must take care because their actions or inactions can lead to nhs claim.

• NHS GP Complaints: If you were wronged by your GP, you can make a complaint especially if their negligent care caused you injury. You can complain about the service you received if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your treatment.
• Complaints About NHS Waiting Times: Patients who have experienced unusual delays in special cases can complain to the health service. Follow the nhs complaints procedure uk to know how to complain about nhs waiting times. If a patient is not pleased with the way the nhs has dealt with the complaint, he or she can take a step further to bring their concerns to the health service ombudsman for proper resolution
• Complaint Against Ambulance Service: Dissatisfied patients can make nhs ambulance complaints to their health service providers If they experienced negligence in the accident and emergency unit. NHS ambulance service complaints may result from substandard care received while treating an accident victim.
• Complaints About NHS Staff: If an NHS Staff was negligent in their duty of care, a victim can make a formal complaint. Negligence by medical staff can lead to severe injuries, pain and suffering. There are enough grounds to make medical negligence claims.

Time Limits For Making A Complaint

For legal complaints, NHS negligence time limit is within 12 months of receiving a poor service. However, we advise that you make your complaint immediately so that you can have enough time to take legal action if it is not addressed. 

Waiting over a year after the incident can invalidate your complaint. The national health service may not consider complaints outside of this timeline. You must understand how to complain about NHS care and also do so within the given timeframe. This ensures you get positive consideration.

NHS complaints compensation procedure helps minimise negligence and also encourages openness in health care. When you make a complaint, it is an opportunity for the NHS to make investigations and prevent a recurrence.

Get Legal Help Today

If you’re considering taking legal action against the NHS, you need expert legal advice. Our team of NHS negligence solicitors will listen to you and review your claim. We will then advise you on further actions you need to take. 

If you decide to make a no win no fee claim against NHS, contact our NHS malpractice lawyers. We will undertake your claims without you having to pay a dime. We will explain better to you how the process works during our free consultation session.

Call us on 0800 644 4240 or fill out our free claim’s assessment form to get your claims started.