Complaints Procedure

INTRODUCTION

This procedure sets out The Clinic Holland Park’s approach to the handling of complaints and is intended as an internal guide that should be made readily available to all staff, as well as a summary setting out our approach to complaint-handling should be available at reception for any patient requesting a copy.

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

POLICY

The Clinic Holland Park will take reasonable steps to ensure that patients are aware of:

The time-limit for resolution.

How a complaint will be dealt with.

Who will deal with it?

Manager handling complaints: Miss Jennifer Doyle

Their right of appeal.

Further action they can take if not satisfied.

The fact that any issues will not affect any ongoing treatment from The Clinic Holland Park and they will continue to be treated.

PROCEDURE

Receiving of complaints

The Clinic Holland Park may receive a complaint made by: a patient, or (with his/her consent) on behalf of a patient, or former patient, who is receiving or has received treatment at The Clinic Holland Park, or (where the patient is incapable of making a complaint) by a relative or other adult who has an interest in the patient’s welfare.

Period within which complaints can be made

The period for making a complaint is normally:

(a) 12 months from the date on which the event subject to the complaint occurred; or

(b) 12 months from the date on which the event subject to 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 will be considered the formal complaint, and asked to confirm that it represents the issues they wish to raise.

Miss Jennifer Doyle, 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 investigate the complaint properly despite any extended delay.

When considering an extension to the time-limit, it is important that the Registered Manager takes into consideration that the passage of time may prevent an accurate recollection of events by the doctor/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 a 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 is well aware of the issues for resolution. If the patient refuses to put it in writing then it is advisable for The Clinic Holland Park 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. the Registered Manager, Miss Jennifer Doyle.

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 made.

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 complaint-handlers 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

The final response 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 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 sent 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 satisfied.

An offer of a meeting with the Registered Manager to try further reconciliation.
The patient can contact ISCAS (The Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service), who would mediate between both sides to seek a mutual agreement. This often takes time but it can be very helpful having a third-person review.
If at that point resolution is still not achieved, then either side can refer the matter to the Health Service Ombudsman.

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.

If the complainant has not been provided with a response after six months from receipt of the complaint (taking into account late provision of consent) we will notify the complainant of their right to go straight to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman without waiting for local resolution to be completed.

Annual review of complaints

The Clinic Holland Park will establish an annual complaints report, incorporating a review of complaints received, along with any learning issues or changes to procedures that 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 Health Service Ombudsman
Subject matter / categorisation / clinical care
Learning points
Methods of complaints management
Any changes to procedure, policies or care that have resulted.

Confidentiality

Complaints will be handled in the strictest of confidence 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 private practices 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.

The Clinic Holland Park 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.