Patient feedback
As well as being told when we do things well, we also need to know when things don’t go so well. We understand the importance of learning from people’s experiences and we welcome all feedback about the out of hours service. Whether you had a positive experience, or identified an opportunity for us to improve we want to hear from you.
Direct to the Local Team
By post – The Quality Team, North East Essex Out of Hours service, 7 Delta Terrace, West Road, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich IP3 9FH
By phone – 0118 990 2210 (Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm)
By email – eoe.outofhours@nhs.net
Direct to our Head Office
Managing Director, Health Care Division, Practice Plus Group, Ground Floor, 1330 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, England, RG7 4SA.
Note
Queries submitted during week-ends are not monitored. Our mailbox is only monitored during normal office hours. If you have any queries regarding patient symptoms, appointment times, etc, please call 111.
Complaints
You can complain in writing, by email or by speaking to someone in the organisation.
You should make your complaint within 12 months of the incident, or within 12 months of the matter coming to your attention. This time limit can sometimes be extended as long as it is still possible to investigate your complaint. Anyone can complain, including young people. A family member, carer, friend, or your local MP can complain on your behalf with your permission.
If you prefer to not to contact us directly
Contact the commissioner of the service: this is the organisation that paid for the service or care you received. If you are unsure which NHS commissioner paid for the service, please contact the service, which will be able to provide this information. Complaining to the commissioner may be the right option if you are not comfortable complaining direct to your healthcare provider, or if you feel this is not appropriate.
Consent
As all patients have a right to confidentiality, if a complaint is received from a patient’s relative, carer or friend, the patient will be contacted and asked to sign a consent form. If a patient is under the age of 16, their representative (eg parent) will be asked to sign the consent form. Where a patient lacks capacity to give their consent, or where a patient has passed away, our Quality Team will contact the patient’s relative, carer or friend to discuss consent options.
