Healthwatch Coventry Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS)
We offer free, independent, confidential advice and support with making complaints about NHS services.
- Download our guide to the NHS complaints process (PDF document 330 KB)
- Download our information sheet on writing a complaint letter (PDF document 136 KB)
- Download our template complaint letter (Word document 30 KB)
Alternatively a range of guides developed by CAB are available from Healthwatch England (this includes a guide to compliants about social care services)
Resolving a concern informally
If you have an ongoing experience which is causing concern and you want this to be put right, it is usually best to contact the healthcare provider and where the provider has one do this through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). If you are unsure how to do this then we can give you information.
You can find more information about how to raise a concern with different services on our NHS services page
Making a complaint
If you cannot resolve your problem informally, or if the issue that you are concerned about has happened in the past but you feel that it was unacceptable, you can make a formal complaint to the service provider. Healthwatch Coventry can help you to make a this complaint. We can give you information to help you make the complaint yourself, or, where you need us to, we can write letters for you or attend meetings with you.
Making a complaint to the Health Service Ombudsman
If you are dissatisfied with the response provided by the NHS you can take your complaint to the Health Service Ombudsman. Healthwatch can support you to do this. We have a strong record in getting cases considered by the Ombudsman.
Contact our ICAS services
Telephone on 024 7625 2011 Monday to Friday 9.30 - 4.00pm. Outside these hours you can leave a message on our answer machine and we will respond within 2 working days
or
Email us for support in making a complaint about an NHS service