Knowing how to make a complaint
Making a complaint can be a daunting task, so knowing who you can complain to and what to do is essential.
We can help you. We've worked with Healthwatch England to produce straightforward advice will guide you through the process from knowing who to talk to, top tips on what to do and what you can expect from services in response.
GP, dental, optician or pharmacy complaints
Each GP practice and dental surgery will have its own complaints procedure which should be available on its website or on request. For GP practices, in the first instance you should contact the practice manager.
Are you looking for an NHS dentist in Bradford district?
You can contact the primary care complaints team at:
01924 552 150*
Primary Care Complaints Team, West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, White Rose House West Parade, Wakefield WF1 1LT.
*Monday to Friday 9 to 5 p.m. excluding bank holidays.
You can also ask for support in making a complaint about NHS services from the Independent Complaints Advocacy Team for Bradford district (more details below).
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
The trust provides mental health, community and learning disability services in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.
The Patient Advice and Complaints Department offers patients, carers and relatives the chance to raise a concern, comment or make a complaint, have it considered and receive a response.
Patient Advice and Complaints leaflet - detailed advice on how to complain
Hospitals
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The trust runs Bradford Royal Infirmary, which provides the majority of inpatient services, and St Luke’s Hospital, which predominantly provides outpatient and rehabilitation services. It also manage local community hospitals at Eccleshill, Westwood Park, Westbourne Green, and Shipley.
The trust has a Patient Experience team. If you are an inpatient or currently in hospital, you should ask to speak with the ward/service manager. If they are not able to resolve your concerns or you were not able to speak with them you can contact the Patient Experience team:
01274 364810 (Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm)
patient.experience@bthft.nhs.uk
If you are unsure that you wish to make a formal complaint, contact the Patient Experience team on the details above for advice and assistance.
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
The trust provides services from its main hospital site, Airedale Hospital, and at other locations across the community – such as Castleberg Hospital near Settle, Coronation Hospital in Ilkley and Skipton Hospital.
It has a Patient Experience team to listen to feedback and stories from anyone who accesses services provided by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. It also has a Patient Advice and Complaints Service who will aim to resolve your problem and share your comments with the appropriate teams so staff can learn from your experience and improve services for future patients.
If you feel you need help with raising your concerns or complaints and wish to speak to someone, contact the Patient Advice and Complaints Service:
01535 294019 (Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm)
Complaints advocacy (support with complaints about NHS services)
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.
In Bradford, the Independent Complaints Advocacy Team services is provided by Vital.
Completely independent from the NHS, the service is funded by the local authority. It is a citizen's statutory right to have advocacy support in making NHS complaints. The service is free and confidential and works under your instruction only.
Click here for more information
01274 770118
Ombudsman
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman makes final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by the NHS in England.
What to do before you contact the Ombudsman
Private health care
If you want to complain about private health care you have received, you won't be able to use the NHS complaints system, unless the NHS commissioned the private service on your behalf and are paying for it (in this case, you can follow the steps above relating to NHS services).
If you have a complaint about the private health care you are receiving, you should ask for the complaints procedure of the private provider. Private hospitals, care homes and other private health care providers will all have their own complaints procedure and policy.
