The NHS encourages feedback to help improve services. If you wish to share your views and experiences, positive or negative, you can speak to a member of staff, or sometimes service providers have feedback forms available on their premises or websites.
If you’re unhappy with an NHS service, it’s often worthwhile discussing your concerns early on, as the issue may be able to be sorted out quickly.
In some cases however you may feel more comfortable speaking to someone not directly involved in your care.
Healthwatch Devon
Healthwatch Devon is the independent consumer champion for people using local health and social care services in Devon, covering all areas of health and adult social care. This includes GPs, hospitals, dentists, care homes, pharmacies, opticians and more.
They listen to what local residents say about the healthcare services they use and make sure these comments are heard by the people in charge who have the power to improve services.
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Services)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provided by the NHS offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. PALS can help you with health-related questions and how you can more involved in your own healthcare. They can also provide information about support groups outside the NHS.
PALS can also help resolve concerns or problems when you’re using the NHS, or provide information about the NHS complaints procedure, including how to get independent help if you want to make a complaint.