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NHS Complaints Procedure

Last Updated: 11/9/2024

NHS Complaints Overview

As a dental professional registered with the General Dental Council (GDC No. XXXXX) who provides NHS services, I am committed to ensuring that any concerns or complaints are addressed properly and in accordance with NHS guidelines.

This page provides information about how to raise concerns about NHS dental services I provide and outlines your rights under the NHS complaints procedure.

Your Rights Under NHS Guidelines

As an NHS patient, you have the right to:

  • Have your complaint dealt with efficiently and properly investigated
  • Know the outcome of any investigation into your complaint
  • Take your complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if you're not satisfied with the outcome
  • Receive compensation if you've been harmed

Making a complaint will not adversely affect your ongoing or future treatment.

NHS Complaints Process

Time Limits:

  • Complaints should be made within 12 months of the incident
  • Complaints should be acknowledged within 3 working days
  • You should receive a full response within 20 working days

The NHS complaints procedure has two stages:

1. Local Resolution

  • Contact the dental practice or professional directly
  • Explain your concerns clearly and what outcome you're seeking
  • Allow for investigation and response

2. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

  • If you're not satisfied with the local resolution
  • Independent investigation of your complaint
  • Final stage of the complaints process

How to Make a Complaint

You can raise a complaint through several channels:

1. NHS England

Contact NHS England:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 0300 311 22 33
  • Post: NHS England, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT

2. Dental Complaints Service

For private treatment concerns:

  • Phone: 020 8253 0800
  • Address: 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8DQ

3. General Dental Council (GDC)

For serious professional misconduct:

  • Website: www.gdc-uk.org
  • Phone: 020 7167 6000

Independent Support Services

Free support is available to help you make a complaint:

  • NHS Complaints Advocacy Services

    Independent support for NHS complaints

  • Healthwatch

    Independent consumer champion for health and social care

  • Citizens Advice

    Free, confidential advice about NHS complaints

Record Keeping and Confidentiality

All complaints are treated with strict confidentiality and are handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR requirements.

  • Comprehensive records are kept of all complaints received
  • Information is only shared as necessary for investigating the complaint
  • Records are used to improve services and prevent similar issues
  • Regular reviews are conducted to identify patterns and implement improvements

GDC Number: XXXXX

For informal concerns or to discuss any issues before making a formal complaint, please contact [Your Email]

This NHS complaints procedure information was last updated on 11/9/2024 and follows current NHS England guidelines.