Complaints against the NHS

[hammerman]

Since my wife had a small stroke back in January, there has been what i can only describe as a catalogue of **** ups regarding her immediate and aftercare in hospital.

Her notes are repeatedly lost, she's had scans that no one knows anything about let alone tells us the results, the care towards her and some of the elderly and infirm in the hospital was nothing short of barbaric and the general carefree attitude of the doctors and nurses has be nothing short of disgusting.

So i'd like to complain about the treatment (or lack of) my wife has had. We're not seeking compensation or anything like that but feel that the duty of care is non existant and the competance of everyone involved has been shocking.

Can anyone help me with who i should complain to...i don't want the complaint to just sit on a pile of other complaints and get forgotten.

The hospital in question is the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Can anyone help

Many thanks

HM

[redcrx]

not sure if this will help but when i recently gave birth i was given a letter in my parent pack that said any complaints or issues i had should first go through the PALS (patient advice and Liason service)

ive found the PALS for the south downs but not sure if that covers your hospital http://www.sussexdownsandwealdpct.nhs.uk/pals. asp

[stonekicker]

most hospitals have a Patient Adice and Liaison service (PALS) which should support you and your wife through her period of ill health and recovery and also assist you in making complaints about care. if you ask any nurse or hospital employee how to make a complaint, they should also tell you honestly and try to help in this process - not doing so would be contrary to their terms of employment. any difficulties with this and you can also approach your local mp or the cab for help too - most importantly, tho, you should be keeping a record of things that have gone wrong (times, dates, people etc.). good luck and i hope your wife continues to recover and you are also ok. x

[bednobs]

the complaints dont just go into a pile, there are legal structures and time limits to NHS complaints- ie your letter must be aknowledged within 2 working days, and you have your reply by 25 working days. If it is a worry about services she is receiving NOW then Pals wil;l be able to help - each nhs trust has their own one, just put whatever hospital it is into a search and go on their website. If its about things that have happened in the past then pals will not be able to help, as they cant turn back time, or conduct an investigation. In this case you would need the complaints manager of the nhs trust your wife was treated at

[R1Geezer]

public sector = shower of sh1t , QED

[Blofeld]

Hi Hammerman,

You can also go to ICAS, the independant complaints advocasy service.

http://www.seap.org.uk/icas/

[RevFunk]

An ex of mine had a horror time is hospital a few years ago:

Dirty syringes left in her bed
Nurses refusing to give her the drugs the DR had prescribed
Nurses not able to speak english
Staff having chinese food delivered and basically having parties
The list was endless

I went to the meeting that she had with hospital management and basically the attitude was we're sorry but you didn't die so thats the end of it.

A joke

[Richard1966]

Blofeld got there before me. Highly recommend ICAS.