How to complain - for people detained under the Mental Health Act

Although we are not able to formally investigate all aspects of your care and treatment, we can provide advice and assistance if you are making a complaint against a health service and ensure that the service is fully meeting the requirements of the act.


We monitor the care of people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act and make sure their interests are protected.

We may be able to help if your complaint is about how somebody used their powers or carried out their duties under the act in respect of someone detained in hospital or on a community treatment or guardianship order.

Please contact the independent healthcare provider or the NHS trust in the first instance. For more information on these complaints processes visit the links below:

Tel. 0115 8736250

If you write to us we will respond to you within five days to confirm we have received your letter and if we need to send you further information we will write to you again within 25 days.

Find out more

If you want to find out more about how to make a complaint about an mental health care service, you can download our leaflet on the process.