- Patient information
- Information about health rights
- Information for young people
- Information for carers
- Information about health services
- Other languages and formats
- Local NHS contact details
Who can help me with my complaint?
- Independent advice and support
- Advocacy
- Conciliation and mediation
- What if I change my mind after I've complained?
Independent advice and support
- If you would like to speak to someone for advice or help with making a complaint please ask a member of staff for details about the Independent Advice and Support Service (IASS) which is available through local citizens advice bureau.
Advocacy
- If you find it difficult to make a complaint yourself and want someone to speak for you, you can ask for an independent advocate. An independent advocate is someone from outside the NHS who can speak for you or help you express your views. Your local NHS board or complaints officer will be able to tell you about advocacy services in your area.
Conciliation or mediation
- Conciliation or mediation means bringing people together to try to resolve a problem.
- An independent conciliator or mediator can try to help you and the person you have complained about agree what should happen next.
- Conciliation or mediation can only be used if you and the person you've complained about both agree to it.
- If you want to find out more about conciliation or mediation, ask the person who is dealing with your complaint.
What if I change my mind after I've complained?
- You can change your mind about making a complaint at any time. Please let a member of NHS staff know as soon as possible. It would be helpful if you could write and tell them, but otherwise a phone call will do.
Page last edited: 01 November 2011