Complaints about independent healthcare
Even though we cannot investigate your individual complaint for you we would like to hear about your experience. This is because we believe involving people who use services in everything we do will help improve them for everyone. We therefore encourage people to share information with us.
Who should I contact?
You should complain to the person providing your care or service. They will have the same responsibilities as other registered providers to have a complaints procedure that is accessible, fair and responsive.
Some independent healthcare providers are members of the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) and they provide information on complaints.
- Find advice from IHAS (opens in new window)
The Patients Association also provides advice and a guide on how to make a complaint.
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA): This is an independent charity which provides free specialist advice concerning NHS or private healthcare complaints where it is suspected that harm has been caused or there is a threat to patient safety.
Trained medico-legal advisers can offer guidance on rights to different kinds of investigations, processes such as inquests, legal action and health professionals' fitness to practise procedures as well as explain medical or legal jargon.
Where necessary, AvMA can make referrals to specialist lawyers or other sources of support. You can contact their helpline from Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm, on 0845 123 2352.
Find out more
If you want to find out more about how to make a complaint about an independent health care service, you can download our leaflet on the process.
