NHS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE COMPENSATION
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE COMPENSATION
It’s difficult for a lay person to know if they are entitled to claim compensation for medical negligence however by using the NHS complaints procedure which does not need the services of a lawyer, a potential claimant is able to get a certain amount of information on a voluntary basis which may be useful as evidence to assist a subsequent court case. While the investigation by the NHS is ongoing, a separate court case cannot be instigated however when the NHS investigation is completed a summons can be issued in a court of law backed up by any information revealed by the NHS complaint.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
NHS Complaint Letter
The initial step to take action without the assistance of a lawyer is to write a letter of complaint to the managerial or clerical head of the relevant institution within 6 months of the date that the alleged negligence occurred or within 6 months of the injury becoming apparent. The letter should include all of the details of the alleged negligence and a request for this to be investigated. Copies of all correspondence should be kept safely.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Local Resolution & Independent Review
If the response to this letter is not satisfactory and there is no local resolution of the problem then you can apply within 28 days of the local review for an independent review by notifying the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Improvement (CHAI) of your concern. An experienced case worker will review your complaint and forward it to the CHAI panel, made up of three lay members and two clinical experts. The CHAI panel may request that evidence be presented by both parties in order to make a decision with regards to the complaint.