Support for making an NHS Complaint

Complaints Advocacy Service

Every area of England has an independent NHS complaints advocacy service funded by the local authority. They can help you make a complaint about an NHS service or work out what you want to achieve from a complaint.

The contract for Coventry is with Voiceability.

About VoiceAbility

Voiceabilty are an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. "Our team will support you to make sure you are heard. We’ve been supporting people to be heard in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years".

You can get in touch by:

Not sure what to do about raising your concern

To talk through your options about making a complaint or to find out which organisation to complain to contact Healthwatch Coventry.

Go to Healthwatch Coventry information service 

Making a complaint about a Hospital or other NHS Trust

Informal

Contact the NHS Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) based in the NHS Trust. This provides a point of contact and help for patients, families and carers to resolve problems. Or make contact with a manager of the ward, or service to see if they can help with your issue.

Formal complaint

Make this in writing and send this to the contact details the trust gives for making an NHS complaint, usually the Chief Executive or Complaints manager.

The NHS trusts in Coventry and Warwickshire are:

Making a complaint about a GP or dental practice

Informal

Raise your issue informally with the practice manager to see if it can be addressed.

Formal complaint

To make a formal complaint - either write to the practice manager or complaints manager at the practice you wish to complain about.

Or you can complain to Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) (the commissioner of the service, this is the organisation that pays for the service orcare you received)

Every GP practice should have a complaints policy. This might be on their website or you can ask a member of staff for a copy.

Tips for making an Complaint

Making a complaint can be a daunting task, here are some tips for making a complaint.

Find out more