Anyone who is receiving or who has received NHS treatment or services can complain.
If a patient is unable to complain themselves then someone else, perhaps a relative or close friend, can complain on their behalf but only with permission of the patient. If the complaint is about the care received by a patient who has died, we will need the agreement of the next of kin.
It is important that you make your complaint as soon as possible.
Usually we only investigate complaints that are:
- made within six months of the event
- made within six months of your realising that you have something to complain about as long as that is not more than 12 months after the event itself.