1.1 All complaints will be dealt with quickly and effectively between the individuals concerned and any justified grievances will be promptly remedied. It will be made clear to the complainant that they may contact the Care Quality Commission at any time in connection with a complaint.
1.2 If the Care Quality Commission wishes to investigate a complaint, DOCTAP LTD will provide adequate facilities for any authorised person to interview, in private, any patient.
1.3 Any complaints of unprofessional conduct against a doctor will be referred to the General Medical Council. Complaints about nursing staff will be referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
1.4 A notice will be posted in the consultation room giving a clear indication to all Patients that should they wish to register a complaint they should in the first instance address it in writing to:
1.5 The notice will also contain the name, address and telephone number of the Care Quality Commission.
2.1 All complaints will be fully investigated by the Registered Manager (Alexander Hamilton).
2.2 All complainants will receive a written acknowledgement within 2 working days of the complaint.
2.3 The complainant will receive a written response within 20 working days or a written explanation of why the response is taking longer and when they can expect a response. A full response being made within 5 working days of a conclusion being reached.
2.4 All staff involved in a complaint will be informed of the outcome and advice on preventing recurrence.
2.5 On completion of a complaint a full written report will be made including any recommendations and actions by the Registered Manager (Alexander Hamilton) and or Clinical Director (Dr Carol Ndlovu).
2.6 Where a complainant is not satisfied at the conclusion of the complaint process they have several options depending upon the nature of the complaint:
2.7 Any complaint proceeding to litigation will be notified to the Care Quality Commission.
3.1 The Registered Manager (Alexander Hamilton) will conduct an investigation and will gather information
3.2 This will lead to a full written report being produced and made available to those concerned.
3.3 The investigation will include:
3.4 The Care Quality Commission is the regulator for independent Healthcare. The Care Quality Commission has no statutory powers to investigate any complaints that patients or other members of the public make about independent healthcare services, nor do they have a regulatory role to manage, arbitrate or resolve their complaints, concerns or allegations. However, they will take account of all information that they receive from the public about registered independent providers, or about unregistered providers that they consider should be registered. They assess whether this ‘concerning information’ suggests that:
3.5 If they suspect that the provider has committed an offence under the Act or a breach under the regulations, they are required to take action to bring about improvement.
3.6 Care Quality Commission
3.7 Staff will provide help to any patient or relative of a patient wishing to make a complaint.
3.8 Contact Details:
The Nursing & Midwifery Council
Independent Arbitration Organisation
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution