Complaints
We want to provide the best possible experience when you use our services, so we’re sorry that something has gone wrong.
Something gone wrong? Let’s get it sorted for you.
The quickest and easiest way to get an issue sorted is to talk to the team caring for you. They’ll usually be able to sort things out straight away, or at least within 3 working days.
You can speak to us in person, give us a call on 01376 552 474, or write to us by post if you prefer. Our address is: Church Lane Surgery, Braintree College, Church Lane, Braintree, CM7 5SN.
We greatly value all forms of feedback from our service users and encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with us. Whether it’s through our Service User Survey (FFT), compliments, or complaints, your input is essential in helping us improve our services. Additionally, please note that our services may occasionally conduct local surveys to gather more specific and tailored feedback. Your participation in these surveys is invaluable, as it enables us to better understand your needs and enhance the care we provide.
If your complaint is about primary care services such as GPs, dentists, opticians or pharmacy services, you should contact your relevant ICB here.
Ask, Listen, Do – Feedback, Concerns and Complaints
We have the following forms available:
Complaint leaflet – large print
Complaints leaflet – easy read
Feedback form – autism
Feedback form – easy read
Please ask a member of the team if you would like a copy and/or require any support submitting your feedback
When you send us your complaint, please try and give as much detail as possible about what’s happened. It’s important for us to understand exactly what it is you are unhappy with and what you would like to happen as a result, so that we can try to deal with the issue as quickly as we can and meet your needs.
All complaints are handled in line with our complaints policy, which you’ll find here. We record all complaints made, but if you’re not happy with our first response or if we believe the issues are too serious to be investigated informally, we’ll appoint a trained investigator to complete a formal complaint investigation. If this happens, we’ll tell you and we’ll respond to you fully within 30 working days.
If you’re still not happy with our response, you can raise your complaint with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman or the Local Government Ombudsman.
We’ll tell you how in our final response to you.
What happens next when you complain?
✓ We’ll try and sort things out quickly, within 3 days
✓ Your care will continue as normal – making a complaint will never affect how we treat you
✓ Details of your complaint won’t be recorded on your medical record, but will be kept
separately so we can learn and improve
✓ If you’re not happy with our response, we’ll explain your next steps
✓ If you’re complaining on someone else’s behalf, we’ll need their consent
✓ We’ll use your data in line with our policy, which you can find on our website or in service (just ask us for a copy)
✓ We can meet with you to discuss your complaint once we’ve investigated it
✓ We can provide you with a written response, if you want one
Need help?
Want some help or support making a complaint? Your local council will be able to put you in touch with an advocacy service who can support you.
