Self-help guides

AvMA’s self-help guides have been written by experts to help guide you through the process of taking action following a medical injury. In clear and straightforward language, they set out the procedures you will need to follow, and legal rights and obligations, and contain useful contact details for regulatory bodies, advice services and other organisations that may be of help.

All our guides are also available in a large print version. Please email us confirming which guide you would like.

Go to:

AvMA’s services

How AvMA can help you following a medical accident

General information

Your rights

The duty of candour: What it means for patients and their families

Making a complaint about NHS or private healthcare

Making a complaint to the NHS in England

Making a complaint to the NHS in Scotland

Making a complaint to the NHS in Wales

Cwyno i’r GIG yng Nghymru

Making a complaint about health and social care in Northern Ireland

Complaining about private healthcare

Sample complaint letter

Accessing medical records

Access to medical records

Template letter requesting your medical records

Serious incident reports

Serious incident reports

Brain injuries at birth and other birth injuries

Investigation processes following possible birth injury

Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB)

Advice for parents acting for babies & children

Claims for birth injuries

Help with an inquest

Inquests into deaths following medical treatment

Ministry of Justice guide to coroner’s services

Raising concerns about a healthcare worker

Health professionals fitness to practise

Raising concerns about doctors

Raising concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates

Raising concerns about dental professionals

Making a legal claim for compensation

Legal action/claiming compensation in England

Legal action/claiming compensation in Northern Ireland

Legal action/claiming compensation in Scotland

Legal action/claiming compensation in Wales

Mynd i gyfraith hawlio iawndal yng Nghymru

Claims for birth injuries

Understanding legal claims

Things to consider when choosing a solicitor

How will I pay my legal costs?

Understanding legal costs for medical negligence claims

Time limits for a claim for financial compensation

Litigants in person for clinical negligence claims

Complaining about your solicitor

How to complain about a solicitor

Is there a guide that we don’t have that you would have found useful? We are always looking to expand our range of guides so please contact us to let us know and we will see if we are able to produce a guide on that subject.

If you find these guides helpful, please consider leaving feedback to help us improve our services.

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