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Making a complaint
British Psychological society
The BPS is the representative body for psychologists and psychology in the UK. If you are thinking of making a complaint against a psychologist, click first on ‘Find a psychologist’, then on ‘Making a complaint against a psychologist’.
www.bps.org.uk
General Medical Council
The GMC is the regulator of the medical profession. Its purpose is to protect and promote the health and safety of the community by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine. It has the powers to act against problem doctors, including psychiatrists. It can issue a warning to a doctor, remove a doctor from the register, and suspend or place conditions on a doctor's registration. From the home page, click first on 'Concerns about doctors', then on 'How to complain'.
www.gmc-uk.org
Local Government Ombudsmen
Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints of injustice arising from maladministration by local authorities and certain other bodies. They investigate complaints about most council matters, including housing and social services. You can download a leaflet from the ‘How to complain’ section of the site which explains what you need to do; the leaflet is available in a number of languages.
www.lgo.org.uk
Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
Independent body whose work is mostly concerned with safeguarding the rights and welfare of people being cared for under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, or the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Runs a user and carer advice line on 0800 389 6809 (weekdays only).
www.mwcscot.org.uk
NHS
For an explanation of the NHS complaints procedure, click first on 'About the NHS' from the home page, and then on 'How to complain/compliment'.
www.nhs.uk
Northern ireland Ombudsman
Deals with complaints from people who believe they have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration by government departments and public bodies in Northern Ireland, including local councils, health and social services boards, and social services trusts. The Ombudsman is also able to investigate complaints about the exercise of clinical judgement by healthcare professionals.
www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk
Ombudsman: Public Services Ombudsman For Wales
The role of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales is to investigate complaints from members of the public about the way they have been treated by a public body. You can complain about local government, NHS organisations (including GPs), and the National Assembly for Wales. The Ombudsman considers complaints about matters such as social services, housing and health services. Click on 'How to complain' for more information.
www.ombudsman-wales.org
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Provides a one-stop-shop for members of the public making a complaint about any public service in Scotland, including NHS trusts, health boards, family health service providers, local authorities and any person discharging the functions of a local authority. The Ombudsman can consider complaints about administrative failure, failure to provide a service, and failure in a service provided.
www.spso.org.uk
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