NHS: Comnplaint

[louisa06]

Does anyone know how or who i could contact in regards to making a complaint regarding the nhs
a Relative of mine is seriously ill at the moment for about 2 years now, and they have been mis diagnosed so many times.
their GP is completely useless as well and i do not know what to say or do but there must be someone out there who could help or at least give some advice.

[fine,thanks]

you could contact a lawyer who specialises in medical negligence. or if a hospital is involved contact the medical director. good luck

[johnlambert]

Here
http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/

hope that link helps

[China Doll]

What is the nature of the complaint? Obviously the diagnosis but you also mentioned the GP. Is it the GP you alson want to complain about? Hospital staff?

If it is a complaint about the system in general then it might useful to write to your local MP but if, (as it seems to me) you wish to complain about individuals or particular circumstances you may need to write to more than one person.

If you can give me a little more information I might be able to offer some advice. :0)

[daffy654]

Is the mis-diagnosis due to incompetence or was it a particularly difficult illness to pinpoint? I have just been through something similar but it took 3 years for me to get diagnosed. My symptoms were put down to worsening asthma when in fact I have developed emphysema. Because of my age(39) emphysema wasn't considered as this is quite young to develop this condition. Your relative may have had symptoms that could have been due to many different things and all had to be ruled out one by one. Doctors don't immediately consider the worst diagnosis for their patients. I would think long and hard about complaining as it may prove costly (money and time). Why not try and use the time instead to provide support for your sick relative. If you still want to complain then contact your local health authority who should be listed in the phone book. Good luck with it all.

[louisa06]

Thanxx Johnlambert for your help.

[Twenty20]

Perhaps you should contact the local Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) in the first instance? I'd say maybe thats the first step

[Beads]

If it's a specific doctor then I think the General Medical Council may help (they regulate doctors etc):

http://www.gmc-uk.org/

If it's the NHS in general then the below may help, especially link two:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Orga nisationpolicy/Complaintspolicy/NHScomplaintsp rocedure/DH_4080897

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Complaints-about- NHS-services/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages /What-is-it.aspx

I hope your relative gets better.x

[louisa06]

Thanx Beads & Twenty20