Complaints about the Health Service

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board and each of its Trusts and GP Practices have a procedure for dealing with complaints. New Regulations aimed at streamlining the handling of concerns about the Welsh NHS come into force on 1 April
2011. Under the new Putting Things Right arrangements, the NHS in Wales will aim to
“investigate once, investigate well”, ensuring that concerns are dealt with in the right way, the first time round.

Anyone who has a complaint about NHS services is asked to contact the Complaints Officer at the Practice or Trust and that person will be happy to investigate the circumstances
of the complaint and try to resolve it fairly and amicably with you. This is known as Local
Resolution.

If you remain dissatisfied after this, then you can ask the Complaints Officer to refer your
complaint for an Independent Review (Stage II). This will be carefully considered by a Convenor, although there is no automatic right to have such a Review.

More details are available in the booklet “Complaints…Listening…Acting…Improving”
which you can obtain from the Practice/Trust.

If your grievance continues beyond this stage, then you can ask the Public Services
Ombudsman to investigate.

His address is:

Public Services Ombudsman For Wales
1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae
Pencoed CF35 5LJ
Tel: 01656 641 150 0845 601 0987
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk

If you prefer, you can ask the Local Health Board to do so.
If you need help with conveying your concern, contact the ABM University Health Board or the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board Community Health Council (CHC). Your local CHC provides a free and independent advocacy service, which is able to help patients or the people acting for them to raise a concern.

The CHC will offer advice and support, including putting you in touch with specialist advocacy services if you need them.

ABM Community Health Council
Water Street Business Centre
Water Street
Aberavon
Port Talbot SA12 6LF
Tel: 01639 892271

Board of Welsh Community Health Councils
Tel: 029 2023 5558
Web: www.communityhealthcouncils.org.uk

You can contact the concerns team at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

Tel: 01639 683363/683316
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council
Cathy Moss, Advocate
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Advocacy Team
Third Floor Park House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff CF10 3AF
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.wales.nhs.uk

Writing a letter to:
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board
Mr Paul Roberts, Chief Executive
1 Talbot Gateway
Baglan Energy Park
Port Talbot SA12 7BR

More information on what to do if you are concerned over the quality of healthcare your relative is offered can be found here.