AvMA Welcomes Health Committee Recommendations on NHS Complaints but Demands Action

Published: 21 Jan 2015

Today sees the launch of the Health Select Committee’s report on “Complaints and Raising Concerns”.   The charity provided evidence to the committee to help it arrive at this report. AvMA welcomes the publication of this report and the recommendations for improvements to the Ombudsman’s role in investigating NHS complaints and strengthening arrangements for independent advice and information for complainants.  However, this is just the latest in a long line of reports and we now demand action to improve what has been a failing system. Progress is far too slow. Like the committee, we want to see real improvements being put into action.

AvMA will next month commence work with the Ombudsman on a new service charter, to help the service improve the quality of its investigations and end the practice of turning down cases for investigation simply because the complainant may also be taking legal action to obtain compensation.  AvMA is also calling for the independent complaints advice service to be located with local Healthwatch bodies, as a local one-stop-shop for patients.