Importance of having a complaints procedure
In spite of the efforts of all staff it is likely that a complaint will be made by a patient at some point. To reduce the anxiety and apprehension for both patients and staff it is crucial to have a procedure for handling complaints.
How complaints can be made
Complaints may be received in writing or orally. Where a patient is unable to communicate a complaint by either means on their own then arrangements will be made to facilitate the giving of the complaint.
Persons who can complain
Complaints can be made by patients, former patients, someone who is affected, or likely to be affected, by the action, omission or decision of individuals working at the practice, or by a representative of a patient who is incapable of making the complaint themselves.
When a complaint is made on behalf of a child, there must be reasonable grounds for the complaint being made by the representative rather than the child and the complaint must be being made in the best interests of the child. If this is not the case, then written notification of the decision not to investigate the complaint must be sent to the representative.
Time limit for making a complaint
Complaints can be made up to 12 months after the incident that gave rise to the complaint, or from when the complainant was made aware of it. Beyond this timescale it is at the discretion of the practice as to whether to investigate the matter.
Persons responsible for handling complaints
Responsible Person: The Responsible Person is a partner responsible for the supervision of the complaints procedure and for making sure that action is taken in light of the outcome of any investigation. Dr Poonian.
Complaints Manager: The Complaints Manager is responsible for the handling and investigation of complaints. Debbie Hall
Initial handling of complaints
When a patient wishes to make an oral complaint then the Complaints Manager is to arrange to meet the complainant in private to make an assessment of the complaint. The complainant is to be asked whether they would like to be accompanied at this meeting.
The complaint should be resolved at this meeting if possible. If the complaint is resolved then it should be recorded in the complaints register and the implicated staff member is to be told about the details of the complaint.
When the complaint cannot be resolved the patient is to be asked to make a written complaint. If necessary the Complaints Manager is to write down the complaint on their behalf verbatim. The written complaint is to be recorded in the complaints register.
The Complaints Manager is to acknowledge a written complaint in writing within 3 working days, stating the anticipated date by which the complainant can expect a full response.
Investigation of complaint
The Complaints Manager is to discuss the complaint with the implicated member of staff to establish their recollection of events.
If the complaint is against the Complaints Manager, then the complaint is to be referred to the Responsible Person for investigation.
The complainant is to be invited to a meeting to discuss the complaint with the Complaints Manager and asked if they would like to be accompanied at this meeting. If appropriate and with prior consent from the complainant the staff member complained about can be present at that meeting. Minutes should be taken.
The timescale to respond (maximum of 6 months) is to be agreed with the complainant at that meeting and documented in the complaints register.
The full response to the complainant is to be signed by the responsible person, and include:
an explanation of how the complaint was considered;
the conclusions reached in relation to the complaint and any remedial action that will be needed;
confirmation as to whether the practice is satisfied that any action has been taken or will be taken.
If it is not possible to send the complainant a response in the agreed period it is necessary to write to the complainant explaining why. Then a response is to be sent to the complainant as soon as is reasonably practicable.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the handling of the complaint then they are to be advised to contact the Health Service Ombudsman and how to do so.
Recording complaints and investigations
A record must be kept of:
each complaint received;
the subject matter of the complaint;
the steps and decisions taken during an investigation;
the outcome of each investigation;
when the practice informed the complainant of the response period and any amendment to that period;
whether a report of the outcome of the investigation was sent to the complainant within the response period or any amended period.
Review of complaints
Complaints received by the practice are to be reviewed at staff meetings to ensure that learning points are shared.
A review of all complaints will be conducted annually by the Complaints Manager to identify any patterns that are to be reported to the Responsible Person.
The Complaints Manager will notify the Responsible Person of any concerns about a complaint leading to non-compliance. The Responsible Person will identify ways for the practice to return to compliance.
A report on complaints is to be submitted to the Primary Care Trust (or replacement body) annually (year ending 31st March).
This report is to:
specify the number of complaints received;
specify the number of complaints which it was decided were well-founded;
specify the number of complaints which the practice has been informed have been referred to the Health Service Ombudsman;
summarise the subject matter of complaints received;
summarise any matters of general importance arising out of those complaints, or the way in which the complaints were handled;
summarise any matters where action has been or is to be taken to improve services as a consequence of those complaints.
This report is to be available to any person on request.
Publicity:
The practice’s arrangements for dealing with complaints and how further information about these arrangements may be obtained by patients is to be publicised by the Complaints Manager. How to contact independent advocacy services and the right of patients to approach Primary Care Trusts with complaints is also to be publicised.
Unreasonable complainants:
When faced by an unreasonable complainant staff will take action in accordance with page 34 of the DH’s Listening, responding, improving: a guide to better customer care guidance. If the patient wishes to escalate their complaint they can be given details of the or the Ombudsman. Please inform Debbie Hall who can provide them with the details.
COMPLAINING TO OTHER AUTHORITIES The practice team hope that if you have a problem you will use the Practice Complaints Procedure. However, if you feel you cannot raise your complaint with us, or you are dissatisfied with the response received from us, you can contact any of the following bodies:
PATIENT ADVISORY LIAISON SERVICE (PALS) PALS provide a confidential service designed to help patients get the most from the NHS. PALS can tell you more about the NHS complaints procedure and may be able to help you resolve your complaint informally. Your local PALS office can be contacted on: • 0808 196 8861 • Email: [email protected] HEALTHWATCH STAFFORDSHIRE Healthwatch Staffordshire is a local service that supports people who want to make a complaint about their NHS Care or treatment. Your local service is at: Suite 2, Opus House Priestly Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford ST18 0LQ Tel: 0800 161 5600 Email: [email protected]
CONTACTING PARLIAMENTARY AND HEALTH SERVICE OMBUDSMAN (PHSO) You can complain to us if an organisation has not acted properly or fairly or has given you a poor service and not put things right. Our service is free and open to everyone. www.ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint/complain-us-getting-started
CONTACTING THE CARE QUALITY COMMISSION 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 on 03000 616161, or alternatively visit the following website: http://www.cqc.org.uk