NHS complaints saga continues...
August 21, 2009
Posted by:Alex Dabek
Although the new regulations covering the complaints procedure no longer preclude investigating complaints when legal action (clinical negligence claims) has been taken or is being considered, no guidance have been issued on this matter and it appears that some Trusts are still refusing to deal with the complaint in such circumstances.
In order to clarify the position a meeting with the Department of Health and Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman was organised by AvMA (charity which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident) during which it was confirmed that complaints will be investigated regardless of whether or not the legal action has been taken/intended unless there are some exceptional circumstances why this should not be done. We are yet to find out what might constitute these exceptional circumstances.