Making a complaint
The organisations on this page can provide information, advice and support if you want to make a complaint. They do not usually provide legal advice or legal representation.
Citizens Advice is an independent network that provides free advice about money, legal issues, housing health and social welfare issues. Often provides advice in English and other languages.
Visit the Citizens Advice website
Patients association is a national charity that helps patients raise concerns and share experiences of healthcare.
Helpline: 0800 345 7115 (freephone number) from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5pm
Email: helpline@patients-association.org.uk
The Patients association website
POhWER is an independent charity. They provide free and confidential advocacy, information, and advice.
An advocate can help people:
have their voice heard
understand their rights
make informed decisions about their care and support
Helpline:0300 456 2370. Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (excluding bank holidays).
Email:pohwer@pohwer.net
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers. You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital.
This service is available in England. They have information about how to make a complaint and can support you during the process. You can find your nearest office on their website.
Helpline: 0300 303 1660 Email: helpline@voiceability.org
Healthwatch England provides information, advice and support about local health and social care services, including information about making a complaint.
Phone: 03000 683 000 between 08:30-17:30 Monday to Friday Email: enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk
Llais provides free, confidential help if you have a concern or complaint about NHS services in Wales
Phone: 02920 235 558
Email: enquiries@llaiscymru.org
Patient Advice and Support Service offers information and support for anyone wanting to give feedback or make a complaint about care provided by NHS Scotland.
Phone: 0800 917 2127
Patient Advice and Support Service website
Citizens Advice Scotland is an independent network that provides free, confidential advice on money, legal, housing, health and social welfare issues. It can also provide information and advice in a range of languages.
Visit Citizens Advice Scotland
This organisation aims to make sure that independent advocacy is available to any vulnerable person in Scotland. Independent advocacy is a way to help people have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives.
Phone: 0131 510 9410 Email: enquiry@siaa.org.uk
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance website
The Patient and Client Council in Northern Ireland provides advice and support if you want to make a complaint about health and social care services in Northern Ireland.
Phone: 0800 917 0222 Email: info@pcc-ni.net
The Patient and Client Council website
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is a UK charity that provides free independent advice and support to people affected by medical accidents.
Helpline: 0345 123 2352 (10:00am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday)
Last reviewed: 09 Oct 2026
Next review due: 09 Oct 2029
There are things you can do and people you can speak to if you have had problems with your care.
You can claim clinical negligence if something goes wrong with your treatment.
There are several decisions to be made about a cancer treatment before you can have it on the NHS or HSC.
Treatments can include surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted cancer drugs). Find out about treatments and how to cope with side effects.
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