No scare mongering with this one but is it worth making a complaint after problems with health care. No win no fee oh yeah, but not for mental health and even getting a lawyer for anything having some type of mental health problem is a task.
We are asked to complin to a local PALS or directly to an NHS trust about complaints we have about various reasons from a source. So firstly, you need to make sure you make notes of all events and a timeline. Be through and don’t miss a thing if you can. Evidence too is important if you possibly have it and can be final. Dr or staff names is vital too. A Dr or member of staff is not good enough. You can always ask for your (SAR) Subject Access Request file to let you know most things written down about you. This file should come within 1 Month or you can complain to the ICO or Information Commissioners Office. There is no time limit on complaints. This is for anyone planning to go ahead with a complaint. You will find someone from the Trust will contact you as your case handler. So far so good. Now this is where you need your wits about you.
You MAY find your case handler is so nice and sympathetic even caring. Lots of ideas which are good and directional. The words are in some cases ‘make you feel at ease’. This can be the first mistake. These case workers are highly trained and from various sources being misleading in a way. You see, why would any case worker from ANY organisation allow a complaint to ruin a reputation of their workplace or organisation. In the case of NHS trusts a string of bad complaints can give more than a bad reputation with CQC ratings and Parliamentary Ombudsman investigations. No one ever publishes win rates or proper outcomes. All trusts have director’s meetings, and some have a patient’s story section. Yes, how many get a real story of real patients that have had their lives changed by a trust for the worst. Its all gloss and prestige no one wants to know the failures. We must end this little section with one day patients can get their complaint results, not everyone but many saying after careful consideration their complain was turned down. Many things discussed maybe twisted and the nice lady turned on you with 2 doctors you never met or heard of.
So, all the stress and pain you discussed was maybe not worth it. Your own health is the main concern for you and things like this are not needed. This article goes for the whole of the UK. The shocks the wording all making one thing, pain. We also must work out what you wanted in the first place. Do you want disciplinary, compensation etc. You would need to see a solicitor for that and I’m afraid solicitors don’t like mental health cases. Trusts always must send a nice leaflet pointing to organisations to complain to. Ok its pass the buck in a way, but it seems that The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is the route they seem to want you to take.
Welcome to The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
I’m saying no more look at the pic below and click it:
One last important point. We personally think trusts should swap cases to make it fair. If a trust has no connection with a patient, it can look at it with less bias. Ok its more work with the swapping of information but would be a fairer way of giving a fair unbiased judgment. This is an idea you make your mind up.
Its your choice, if its disciplinary is it worth any stress, is it and if its compensation well you need to weigh up your health before starting this route because you’re on your own really.
