All healthcare professionals endeavour to provide optimum, safe care for their patients. However, despite everyone’s best efforts, things can go wrong in surgery and patient outcomes may be poorer than what was expected. In such situations, patients, families or their advocates may wish to raise concerns about the care received. Such feedback is a valuable resource for monitoring and improving patient safety. Whilst the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh cannot directly comment or intervene in specific cases, there are a range of resources available for those seeking help.
In the first instance, patients should always direct concerns to the person or organisation providing the service. Most issues can be dealt with at this stage, but in some cases, patients may feel more comfortable contacting someone not directly involved in the case.
Below are links to a range of resources that provide further help and assistance.
- Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is found in most hospitals and offers free and confidential support in order to resolve health-related issues informally before formal concerns are raised. Click here to find details of your local PALS.
- Those wanting to make complaints should contact the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service who provide information on the different NHS complaints processes and help to make complaints if required.
- If a complaint cannot be resolved, the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman may also be able to assist in the final instance.