Making an NHS complaint
If you have concerns about any aspect of your healthcare, or the service you receive within any NHS service it is best to speak to a member of staff involved with your care. If the staff cannot help you, or you are not comfortable speaking to them you may want to make a formal complaint about an NHS service.
Do you require support?
If you require support to make a complaint VoiceAbility can offer both information and practical support:
0300 303 1660
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
If you want to make a complaint about a: GP practice, dental practice, pharmacy or optician service, etc.
Either contact the services Practice Manager or directly to the commissioner of the service, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), if you prefer.
You can contact the ICB on:
0191 512 8277
Primary Care Complaints, c/o North of England Commissioning Support Unit, John Snow House, University Science Park, Durham, DH1 3YG
If you want to make a complaint about: Sunderland hospitals (including Sunderland Royal and Sunderland Eye Infirmary) and hospices etc.
Contact the Advice & Complaints Service to express a concern, make a complaint or to offer a compliment.
0191 569 9666 or Freephone: 0800 587 6513
stsft.adviceandcomplaints@nhs.net
Mon-Fri 9am - 4.30pm
If you want to make a complaint about: North East Ambulance Services plus NHS 111 service
Contact the North East Ambulance Service
0191 430 2152
patientexperienceteam@neas.nhs.uk
Open: Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm
Or NEAS Patient Liaison Service (PALS) - offer confidential advice, support and information to sort out any concerns you may have.
0800 0320 202
Mon – Fri 9am – 4.30pm
I’ve made a complaint to the service or provider, but am unhappy with the response. What do I do next?
If your issue has not been resolved contact the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman.
You can complain to them if an organisation has not acted properly or fairly or has given you a poor service and not put things right. They make final decisions on complaints that have not been sorted out by the NHS in England, UK government departments and some other UK public organisations.
0345 015 4033
phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk
Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm