We are independent of the NHS and can help if you feel you have not had the service you expect from the NHS and want to complain, using the NHS complaints procedure.
About the Service
Health Complaints Advocacy can give you the information that you need to raise your complaint by yourself or provide you with the support of an experienced Advocate who can help you to make your complaint.
You may just want to know how the complaint procedure works or who you should send a letter of complaint to, or you may feel that you need help in drafting a complaint letter or communicating with the NHS service. Our Advocates will work with you to determine what support you feel you need to ensure that you feel confident in raising your complaint.
Our service covers all residents within the Leeds City Council area, even if your treatment was provided elsewhere.
To learn more about how our service can support you, please watch this short video:
Waiting times
We currently have a waiting list in place for Health Complaints Advocacy. The waiting time is up to two weeks. We are sorry that people are having to wait this long and are actively training and recruiting advocates to carry out this type of work.
In the meantime, if you would like any pointers on making or starting your health complaint yourself, please call the office on 0113 244 0606 or email the team at [email protected].
What Does the Service Do
Our Advocates will:
- Provide information about the NHS complaints procedure
- Help you to explore your options so you can decide what to do
- Help you to put forward your views and make sure they are heard
- Help you to understand what you can expect to achieve from making a complaint
An Advocate might also:
- Help you to write letters
- Prepare you for meetings and go to these with you
- Help you to monitor the progress of your complaint
If you have already started a complaint but would like support through the rest of the complaints process, we can help you.
Who is the Service For?
Health Complaints Advocacy is for Leeds residents who want help to make a complaint about NHS funded treatment or an NHS service.
We are unable to assist with complaints about privately-funded treatment.
Further Information
Health Complaints Advocacy also supports young people who would like help to raise a complaint about their NHS care or treatment. If you are a young person, our Young Person’s Advocate will be able to support you.
How to Access the Service
Leeds residents are able to refer for the support of a Health Complaints Advocate by:
Calling our First Contact Team on 0113 244 0606
Filling out a referral form available on our website
Professionals are also able to refer individuals that they think might benefit from a Health Complaints Advocate using the options above.
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