NHS Complaints Advocacy

POhWER’s NHS Complaints Advocacy service offers free, independent, and confidential support to anyone wishing to make a complaint about NHS-funded care or treatment. Whether you’re unhappy with care received at an NHS hospital, GP, dentist, pharmacy, mental health service, or even a private hospital funded by the NHS, our advocates are here to help you navigate the complaints process.

How we help:

• Provide clear information about how to complain and who to contact
• Explain the complaints process and your options at each stage
• Support you in writing letters and preparing for meetings
• Attend complaint meetings with you if needed
• Help you refer your complaint to the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman if you’re not satisfied with the NHS response
• Signpost you to other organisations if we’re unable to help directly

What we can’t do:

• Investigate complaints ourselves
• Support complaints about private healthcare not funded by the NHS
• Assist with complaints about events over 12 months old (unless there’s a good reason for the delay)
• Provide legal or medical advice, or help with compensation claims

Accessing the service: You can contact us directly or complete a referral form for yourself or someone else (with their permission). We also offer self-help resources, guides, and consent forms in accessible formats, including large print and Easy Read. If we don’t provide NHS Complaints Advocacy in your area, our Help Hub can advise and signpost you to other organisations.

Who can use this service? Anyone wishing to make a complaint about NHS-funded care or treatment, for themselves or on behalf of someone else (with consent).

Cost: This service is free to use.

Availability: Service coverage varies by region. Please check if we operate in your area or contact our Help Hub for advice.