Complaints Policy

In this practice we take complaints very seriously indeed and try to ensure that all our patients are pleased with their experience of our service.  When patients complain, they are dealt with courteously and promptly so that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible.  This procedure is based on these objectives.

Our aim is to react to complaints in the way in which we would want our complaint about a service to be handled.  We learn from every mistake that we make and we respond to customers’ concerns in a caring and sensitive way.

  • The person responsible for dealing with any complaint about the service which we provide is Mrs. Elizabeth Hill (Practice Manager).
  • If a patient complains on the telephone or at the reception desk, we will listen to their complaint and offer to refer him or her to Mrs. Elizabeth Hill immediately.   If Mrs. Elizabeth Hill is not available at the time, then the patient will be told when they will be able to talk to the dentist and arrangements will be made for this to happen.  The member of staff will take brief details of the complaint and pass them on.  If we cannot arrange this within a reasonable period or if the patient does not wish to wait to discuss the matter, arrangements will be made for someone else to deal with it.
  • If the patient complains in writing the letter will be passed on immediately to Mrs. Elizabeth Hill.
  • If a complaint is about any aspect of clinical care or associated charges it will normally be referred to the dentist, unless the patient does not want this to happen.
  • We will acknowledge the patient’s complaint in writing and enclose a copy of this code of practice as soon as possible, normally within three working days.  We will seek to investigate the complaint within ten working days of receipt to give an explanation of the circumstances which led to the complaint.  If the patient does not wish to meet us, then we will attempt to talk to them on the telephone.  If we are unable to investigate the complaint within ten working days we will notify the patient, giving reasons for the delay and a likely period within which the investigation will be completed.
  • We will confirm the decision about the complaint in writing immediately after completing our investigation.
  • Proper and comprehensive records are kept of any complaint received.
  • Should the complaint be from a patient that has left the practice and registered elsewhere then a request will be made for the details and issues to be put in writing either by letter or email to Mrs Elizabeth Hill.
  • NB Only complaints made within 12 months of the incident will be investigated.

The address for correspondence is:

Almondsbury Dental Practice,
37, Lower Court Road,
Lower Almondsbury,
Bristol BS32 4DX

Email address: Liz.hill@almondsburydental.co.uk

If patients are not satisfied with our response, then a complaint may be made to:

For concerns/complaints re NHS treatment:

Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Tel: 0117 414 4569
Email: complaints@nbt.nhs.uk

NHS England Area Team, NHS Commissioning Board, PO Box 16728, Redditch, B97 9PT
Tel. 0300 311 22 33
Email england.contactus@nhs.net

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP
Tel. 0345 015 4033
Email phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk
www.ombudsman.org.uk

The General Dental Council, 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ (the dental professions regulation body)
Tel. 0207 162 6000
www.gdc-uk.org

For concerns/complaints re private treatment

The Dental Complaints Service, Stephenson House, 2, Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon CR0 6BA
Tel. 0208 253 0800
Email info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk
www.dcs.gdc-uk.org