COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Creation Date: 1 November 2024

Review date: 1 November 2025

Person accountable for policy: DR MARYAM ATTARZADEH, Registered Manager

Signed and reviewed by: DR MARYAM ATTARZADEH, Registered Manager

INTRODUCTION

This procedure sets out KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC’s approach to the handling of complaints and is intended as an internal guide who should be made readily available to all staff and also a summary setting out the approach to complaint handling should be available at reception for any patient requesting a copy.

From 1st April 2009 a common approach to the handling of complaints was introduced across health and adult social care. This procedure complies with this.

POLICY

KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC will take reasonable steps to ensure that patients are aware of:

  • the complaints
  • The time limit for
  • How it will be dealt
  • Who will deal with it?
  • Lead Clinician/Registered Manager handling
  • Right of appeal
  • Further action they can take if not
  • The fact that any issues will not affect any ongoing treatment from KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC and they will continue to be treated.

PROCEDURE

Receiving of complaints

KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC may receive a complaint made by, or (with his/her consent) on behalf of a patient, or former patient, who is receiving or has received treatment at KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC or where the patient is incapable of making a complaint, by a relative or other adult who has an interest in his/her welfare.

PERIOD WITHIN WHICH COMPLAINTS CAN BE MADE

The period for making a complaint is normally:

  1. 12 months from the date on which the event which is the subject of the complaint occurred; or
  2. 12 months from the date on which the event which is the subject of the complaint comes to the complainant's notice.

All complaints will be acknowledged no later than three working days after the day the complaint is received (the acknowledgement will usually be in writing but can be verbally in some circumstances although this should be the exception rather than the norm).
An offer should be made to discuss with the complainant the following:

  • The handling of the complaint
  • Timescales for responding
  • Expectations and desired outcome if unclear

If the complaint has been made verbally, the complainant should be given a copy of their verbal statement which is considered the formal complaint and asked to confirm that it represents the issues they wish to raise

DR MARYAM ATTARZADEH, the Registered Manager has the discretion to extend the time limits if the complainant has good reason for not making the complaint sooner, or where it is still possible to properly investigate the complaint despite extended delay.

When considering an extension to the time limit it is important that the Complaints Manager or the Clinician takes into consideration that the passage of time may prevent an accurate recollection of events by the clinician concerned or by the person bringing the complaint. The collection of evidence, Clinical Guidelines or other resources relating to the time when the complaint event arose may also be difficult to establish or obtain. These factors may be considered as suitable reason for declining a time limit extension.

Action upon receipt of a complaint

  • It is always better to try and deal with the complaint at the earliest opportunity and often it can be concluded at that point.
  • If it is not possible or the outcome is not satisfactory the patient should be asked to put it in writing. This ensures that each side are well aware of the issues for resolution. If the patient does refuse to put it in writing then it is advisable for KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC to put it in writing and check that the patient is happy with the detail of the complaint.
  • On receipt of a written complaint an acknowledgement should be sent confirming receipt and saying that a further response will be sent within 10 days following an investigation of the issues. It should also say who is dealing with it i.e. manager.
  • If it is not possible to conclude any investigations within the 10 days, then the patient should be updated with progress and possible time scales.
  • A full investigation should take place with written notes and a log of the progress being
  • It may be that outside sources will need to be contacted and if that is the case then a patient consent form will need to be signed to make such a request.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a key element of complaints management and review. It may be necessary to identify if any of the following elements are evident in the information/complaint:

  • Safeguarding concerns to the person, to include their ability to manage with daily living
  • Safeguarding concerns regarding the adequacy of care/support being provided to the person
  • Safeguarding concerns regarding the behaviour of a professional to a patient or carer
  • Safeguarding concern regarding the behaviour of the person/complainant to professional staff

All complaints staff must have at least Level 2 training in safeguarding to enable them to identify the key safeguarding concerns.

All complaints handlers from will require a DBS check as part of their recruitment process.

Unreasonable Complaints

Where a complainant becomes aggressive or, despite effective complaint handling, unreasonable in their promotion of the complaint, some or all of the following formal provisions will apply and will be communicated to the patient:

  • The complaint will be managed by one named individual at senior level who will be the only contact for the patient
  • Contact will be limited to one method only (e.g. in writing)
  • Place a time limit on each contact
  • The number of contacts in a time period will be restricted
  • A witness will be present for all contacts
  • Repeated complaints about the same issue will be refused
  • Only acknowledge correspondence regarding a closed matter, not respond to it
  • Set behaviour standards
  • Return irrelevant documentation
  • Keep detailed records

Final Response

This will include:

  • A clear statement of the issues, investigations and the findings, giving clear evidence-based reasons for decisions if appropriate
  • Where errors have occurred, explain these fully and state what will be done to put these right, or prevent repetition
  • A focus on fair and proportionate the outcomes for the patient, including any remedial action or compensation
  • A clear statement that the response is the final one, or that further action or reports will be send later
  • An apology or explanation as appropriate
  • A statement of the right to escalate the complaint, together with the relevant contact detail
  • It should also advise on the next step in the process if the complainant is still not
  • An offer of a meeting with the Registered Manager to try further
  • If you are dissatisfied with the outcome or seek arbitration you can contact the Independent Doctors Federation (IDF). Please contact a member of the IDF team on 020 3696 4080, or email at [email protected].
  • The IDF Patient Complaints procedure involves a three-stage process, as follows:

Stage 1

Local resolution

The complaint is considered locally by the doctor/practice, following which a response is sent back to the patient.

Stage 2 Complaint review

If after stage 1 the patient remains dissatisfied, the complaint is considered by the IDF Complaints Manager, seeking input from both parties.

Stage 3

ISCAS independent external adjudication

  • If the patient is still dissatisfied (s)he can take the complainant to ISCAS for final
  • If, after stages 1 and 2, a patient is still dissatisfied, (s)he may request independent adjudication of the complaint at ISCAS. At this stage, complainants are asked to sign a ‘Statement of understanding and consent’, thereby agreeing to the parameters of Stage 3.
  • To find out more about ISCAS, including full documentation relating to the patient complaints process, please visit the ISCAS website here.

If at any time during the complaint process the complainant or their representative or advocate decides they would like to withdraw the complaint this request can be made either verbally or in writing. The withdrawal of a complaint will be acknowledged in writing.

Annual Review of Complaints

KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC will establish an annual complaints report, incorporating a review of complaints received, along with any learning issues or changes to procedures which have arisen. This report is to be made available to any person who requests it, and may form part of the Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme.

This will include:

  • Statistics on the number of complaints received
  • Justified / unjustified analysis
  • Known referrals to the Ombudsman
  • Subject matter / categorisation / clinical care
  • Learning points
  • Methods of complaints management
  • Any changes to procedure, policies or care which have resulted

Confidentiality

Complaints will be handled in the strictest of confidence in accordance and will be kept separately from patients’ medical records. Care will be taken that information should only be disclosed to those who have a demonstrable need to have access to it. Suitable arrangements are in place for the handling of patient identifiable data to meet the compliance of GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 and other legal obligations such as the Human Rights Act 1998 and the common law duty of confidentiality

The Caldicott Report sets out a number of general principles that health and social care organisations should use when reviewing its use of patient or patient information. The designated Caldicott Guardians are responsible for ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. Confidentiality will be maintained in such a way that only managers and staff who are leading the investigation know the contents of the case. Anyone disclosing information to others who are not directly involved in this may be dealt with under disciplinary procedures.

KONCEPT MEDICAL CLINIC must keep a record of all complaints and copies of all correspondence relating to complaints, but such records must be kept separate from patients' medical records.