Tips for making a complaint to a health service provider
Here are some tips to help you increase your chances of having your complaint understood and acted upon.
- It is okay to complain if you are not satisfied with your health service provider.
- First try talking directly with the provider.
- Talking to the provider is often the quickest and easiest way to resolve complaints.
- If the complaint is more serious, put the complaint in writing.
- Be clear about your concerns – what went wrong, who was involved and when did it happen?
- Also be clear about what outcome you would like from making the complaint. For example, what can the provider do to make things right?
- Ask the health service provider to respond to you in writing.
If you are not satisfied with the health service provider's answer, or if there is a long delay, you can complain to the Health Complaints Commissioner.