We want to make it easy for you to tell us about any problems you have so we can do our best to resolve them, learn from any mistakes and improve the way we do things in the future.
Making a complaint
Our complaints procedure is flexible depending on what you are looking for when you complain and how we can best resolve the issues raised.
How to make a complaint
Speak to someone
A lot of problems can be sorted out straight away just by talking to the person looking after you, such as a doctor, nurse or therapist.
If you are not happy doing this, or you have tried and are not satisfied with the response, then ask to speak to the person in charge of the ward, department or service.
You can also talk to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), who can help raise your concern with the right people.
There is no need to worry that telling staff you are unhappy will affect your care – they would rather know that you have a problem so they can put things right.
Telephone us
If you want to make a formal complaint, you can call us to discuss the best option for you:
- St Richard’s Hospital: 01243 831822
- Worthing and Southlands Hospitals: 01903 285032
Write in
Alternatively, you can make a formal complaint in writing:
Email PALSChichester@wsht.nhs.uk or PALSWorthing@wsht.nhs.uk, or write to:
The Chief Executive
Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Lyndhurst Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 2DH
Help in making a complaint
Anyone making a complaint about NHS treatment or care is entitled to the support of an advocate.
The complaints process
Complaints are received in the Chief Executive’s Office and forwarded to Customer Relations Department to be managed in accordance with the NHS Complaints Procedure and the Trust’s own local policy and procedures.
The Trust policy expects investigating staff to identify and speak to any members of staff directly involved in the subject of the complaint and provide their responses as well as comments from relevant managers and/or consultants.
All complaints are discussed at regular meetings with the relevant service divisions. The Trust’s Patient Experience and Feedback Committee, chaired by its non-executive directors, monitors the investigation process and its outcomes, and follows up any lessons we can learn about the issues raised in the complaint.