Making Complaints
A complaint should be made within 12 months from the date it occurred or when it came to your attention. In some cases if there is good reason why you could not complain sooner and it is still possible to investigate your complaint, it may be possible to waive the time limit.
Who can complain?
Anyone can complain about NHS services or treatment they have received, or if they have been affected by the actions or decisions of an NHS organisation, or primary care practitioner.
If you are unable to complain yourself, someone can act on your behalf with your written consent.
What are your rights and how do you make a complaint?
The NHS Website gives details of your rights and how to make a complaint.
What support can you get with making a complaint?
The NHS Complaints Advocacy Service is free, independent and confidential. It offers practical support and information on how to make an NHS complaint. This service is delivered by our partner organisation Cloverleaf Advocacy.
You can contact Cloverleaf by:
✉ Cloverleaf Advocacy, 5th Floor, Empire House, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury WF12 8DJ.
☎ 0300 012 4212
07860 021 502
NHSComplaints@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk
How can you provide general feedback on services?
The NHS website enables you to search for services near you, and read comments and reviews that have been made about those services.
Alternatively you can also leave feedback via the Care Opinion website which allows patients to share their experiences of health care. By sharing your experiences this will help improve local health services. You can also read about other people’s experiences of local services.
How can you complain directly to services?
For comments, complaints or praise about NHS services, the complaints page on the NHS Choices website gives details of your rights and how to make a complaint. You can get advice from the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
You can also leave feedback via the Care Opinion website which allows patients to share their experiences of health care. By sharing your experiences this will help improve local health services. You can also read about other people’s experiences of local services.
For comments, complaints or praise about adults and children’s social care services in the Hull, contact the complaints manager at Hull City Council.
If you are complaining direct to NHS England, more information can be found here
Information Guides
If you would like a step-by-step guide to making a complaint about your NHS or social care, you can either download the guides below, or contact us directly for a copy.
Making a complaint to the NHS
Making a complaint about Social Care