In this practice we take complaints very seriously indeed and try to ensure that all patients are pleased with their experience of our service. When patients complain, they are dealt with courteously and promptly so that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible.
This procedure is based on these objectives -
Our aim is to react to complaints in the way in which we would want our complaint about a service to be handled. We learn from every mistake that we make and we respond to patients’ concerns in a caring and sensitive way.
The person responsible for dealing with any complaint about the service we provide is Dr J Pirie.
If a patient complains on the telephone or at the reception desk, we will listen to his or her complaint and offer to refer him or her to Dr J Pirie immediately.
If Dr J Pirie is not available at the time, then the patient will be told when he or she will be able to talk to him and arrangements will be made for this to happen. The member of staff will take brief details of the complaint and pass them on. If we cannot arrange this within a reasonable period or if the patient does not wish to wait to discuss the matter, arrangements will be made for someone else to deal with it.
If the patient complains in writing the letter will be passed on immediately to Dr J Pirie.
If a complaint is about any aspect of clinical care or associated charges it will normally be referred to the dentist who provided the treatment, unless the patient does not want this to happen.
We will acknowledge the patient’s complaint in writing and enclose a copy of this procedure as soon as possible, normally within two working days. We will seek to investigate the complaint within ten working days of the complaint being received to give an explanation of the circumstances which led to the complaint. If we are unable to investigate the complaint within ten working days we will notify the patient, giving reasons for the delay and a likely period within which the investigation will be completed.
We will confirm the decision about the complaint in writing to the patient immediately after completing our investigation. Proper and comprehensive reports are kept of any complaint received.
This procedure should be followed if you are complaining on behalf of someone else. The rules of medical confidentiality will be adhered to if the complaint is received on behalf of someone else. A note signed by the person will be required, unless they are incapable (e.g. because of illness) of providing such a note, to allow the complaint to be investigated.
If this is a complaint regarding NHS dental treatment and you are not happy with the practice response to your complaint, you can be supported thorough the complaints process by the Patient and Client Council (PCC) who can be contacted at:
Patient and Client Council
5th Floor
14-16 Great Victoria Street
Belfast, BT2 7BA
Telephone: 0800 9170222
Email: info.pcc@pcc-ni.net
Website: Patient Client Council Northern Ireland - Your voice in Health & Social Care (pcc-ni.net)
Patients unhappy with NHS treatment can also contact the Department of Health Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SSPG) [formerly Health and Social Care Board] for support at:
Complaints Office
12-22 Linenhall Street
SSPG Headquarters
Belfast, BT2 8BS
Telephone: 028 9536 3893
Email: complaints.sspg@hscni.net
Website: Health and Social Care Online https://www.nidirect.gov.uk//online.hscni.net/
If you continue to remain unhappy you can refer your complaint to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) who will look at your complaint and decide whether they should investigate it. You should include information to support that you have exhausted our internal procedure prior to seeking input from NIPSO who can be contacted at:
Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman
Progressive House
33-37 Wellington Pl
Belfast, BT1 6HN
Telephone: 0800 343424
Email: nipso@nipso.org.uk
Complaints about both private dental treatment, if not satisfied with the in-house process, can be referred to the Dental Complaints Service
Dental Complaints Service
37 Wimpole Street
London, W1G 8DQ
Telephone: 020 8253 0800 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Email: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk
Website: www.dentalcomplaints.org.uk
Complaints about both NHS and private dental treatment, if not satisfied with the in-house process can also be referred to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) using the contact details below
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
James House
2-4 Cromac Avenue
Gasworks
Belfast, BT7 2JA
(*address from 13/03/2023)
Telephone: 028 9536 1111 (9am - 5pm Mon to Fri)
Email: info@rqia.org.uk
Website: www.rqia.org.uk
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services. RQIA does not investigate complaints. However, through their regulatory activities, they have an important role in ensuring all regulated services have an effective complaints procedure, take complaints seriously and investigate complaints thoroughly, in line with Department of Health complaints guidelines.