Health Care Complaints

The Health and Social Care (HSC) complaints process can help address your concerns and make positive changes for the future.

Complaints normally focus on five main areas of concern:

1. Medical treatment (or lack of)
2. Buildings and environments
3. Information you were given or not given
4. Waiting times
5. Behaviour or attitude of staff

If you are unhappy with the care or treatment you received from Health and Social Care (HSC) services in Northern Ireland, you have the right to make a complaint.

We have information on how to make a complaint, including what details you should prepare, or where you may be able to get help with a complaint. 

Complaining on behalf of someone

Anyone who uses the wide range of HSC services can make a complaint. Indeed your family or friends can make a complaint on your behalf too, although your consent may be required.

If you want to complain on behalf of someone else, the hospital or practice must agree that you are a suitable representative. You can also make a complaint on behalf of an existing or former patient if the patient is unable to act for themselves.

Complaints about private treatment

If the HS arranged private treatment for you and you are unhappy with the treatment, you can use the HSC complaint procedures. However, if the complaint is about private care or treatment which you paid for, you must follow the private company’s complaint process.