26
Nov 2014
Charity has ‘no confidence’ in NHS complaints watchdog
The Patients Association has condemned the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), an independent watchdog which has been set up to handle patients’ complaints to the NHS, saying that patients are wasting their time.
The role of the PHSO is to investigate complaints over poor service and unfair treatment that patients have received from the NHS in England.
Last month, the PHSO, who is currently undergoing a modernization scheme, revealed that it had reviewed 2,199 complaints in 2013/14, which is six times more than the previous year.
The charity have released a report into claims of failures by the PHSO, whereby it is accused of mishandling complaints, saying that patients and families have been ’let down’.
As a result of the report, the charity has said that it will no longer refer patients to the watchdog.
Jacqueline Coles, deputy chief executive of Patients Association, said in the report that it had ‘failed to adapt’ to modern demands.
She said “For many years we have advised people who contact our national helpline to go to the PHSO when they have received an unsatisfactory response from their local health service providers.
“Sadly we can no longer recommend this course of action to patients, as we have no confidence in the PHSO to carry out an independent, fair, open, honest and robust investigation.
“It leaves the victims and families seeking help regarding health concerns cold, alone and frozen out. The PHSO fails them on a regular basis.”
The report recommends an overhaul, which includes timescales for investigations, a code of practice and contact with patients.
A spokesman from PHSO has said “We have embarked on a radical modernisation drive, which includes listening to feedback from users.
“We are delighted that the Patients Association has agreed to help us draw up a service charter, which will be a set of promises to users about what they can expect when they use our service.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in Medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/Medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our Medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 028 2969
- Like this ? Share with friends