Boston Dental Centre takes complaints very seriously and we try to ensure that all 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 we would want our complaint about a service to be handled. We learn from every mistake that we make and we respond to patients concerns in a caring and sensitive way.
- The person responsible for dealing with any complaint about the service which we provide is: Helen Patchett (Practice Manager ). If you are not happy with the service and feel you want to talk to someone else, please request direct access to Principals
- If a patient complains on the telephone or at the reception desk, we will listen to his or her complaint and offer to refer him or her to the Practice Manager immediately. If the Practice Manager is not available at the time, then the patient will be told when she/he 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 the patient does not wish to wait to discuss the matter, arrangements will be made for someone else to deal with.
- If the patient complains in writing the letter will be passed on immediately to the Practice Manager.
- 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 patients complaint in writing and enclose a copy of this code of practice as soon as possible normally within 2 working days. We will seek to investigate the complaint within 10 working days of the complaint being received 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 him or her 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 to the patient immediately after completing our investigation.
- Proper and comprehensive records are kept of any complaint received.
- If patients are not satisfied with the result of our procedure then a complaint may be made to:
For complaints abut NHS treatment :
England:
The parliamentary and health service ombudsman, millbank tower, millbank London SW1P 4QP ( 03450154033 or www.ombudsman.org.uk)
For complaints about private treatment:
Dental complaints service, Stephenson house, 2 cherry orchard road, Croydon CR0 6BA ( 02082530800)
