For Patients
Services
Complaint Resolution Assistance
- Guidance & Support: I offer personalised advice to patients on how to navigate the complaints process. This could include explaining their rights, helping them understand the steps involved, and providing emotional support throughout the process.
- Documentation assistance: I assist patients in documenting their complaint effectively. I provide templates for complaint letters or forms tailored to different healthcare providers or local authorities and offer tips on what information to include and how to structure complaints for maximum effectiveness.
- Advocacy: I can serve as an advocate for the patient, representing their interests and concerns to the appropriate parties. This could involve communicating with healthcare providers, liaising with regulatory bodies, or attending meetings on behalf of the patient.
- Mediation: I offer mediation services to help facilitate communication between the patient and the relevant parties. I can act as a neutral third party to help resolve disputes and find mutually acceptable solutions.
- Follow-up: I provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure the complaint is being handled appropriately and that the patient’s concerns are being addressed. I keep the patient informed of progress and advocate for them if any delays or issues arise.
- Education & empowerment: I educate patients about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to healthcare complaints, empowering them to advocate for themselves in the future by providing information and resources on how to effectively address concerns with healthcare providers.
Advocacy Representation
- Initial consultation: I offer a free initial consultation where to listen to clients’ concerns and assess their situation. This allows me to understand your needs and explain how I can assist you in navigating the complaints process.
- Guidance & support: I offer personalised guidance to patients on how to navigate the complaints process. This could include explaining their rights, helping them understand the steps involved, and providing emotional support throughout the process.
- Documentation assistance: I assist patients in documenting their complaint effectively. I provide templates for complaint letters or forms tailored to different healthcare providers or local authorities and offer tips on what information to include and how to structure complaints for maximum effectiveness.
- Representation: I act as a dedicated advocate for the patient, representing their interests and concerns to healthcare providers, regulatory bodies, or other relevant parties. This may involve writing letters, making phone calls, or attending meetings on their behalf.
- Negotiation & mediation: I will engage in negotiation or mediation with the aim of resolving the complaint amicably and satisfactorily for our clients. This may involve facilitating communication between parties, identifying areas of compromise, and working towards a mutually acceptable resolution.
- Follow-up: I provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure the complaint is being handled appropriately and that the patient’s concerns are being addressed. I keep the patient informed of progress and advocate for them if any delays or issues arise.
- Education & empowerment: I educate patients about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to healthcare complaints, empowering them to advocate for themselves in the future by providing information and resources on how to effectively address concerns with healthcare providers.
Case Analysis & Strategy
- Initial Case Analysis
– Understanding the issue: I will conduct a thorough assessment of our client’s complaint. Gathering all relevant details, including medical records, communication logs, and any other pertinent documentation.
– Identify key concerns: Identifying the main issues and concerns our client has with the healthcare provider or authority.
– Assessing viability: Evaluating the viability of the complaint. Determine whether the complaint has a strong basis and what outcomes are realistically achievable. - Developing a strategy
– Setting objectives: I will work with our client to define clear, achievable objectives, looking at the outcomes are they hoping to achieve. This could range from an apology to corrective actions or compensation.
– Tailoring the approach: I will develop a tailored strategy based on the specifics of the case. This might involve deciding whether to pursue a formal complaint, seek mediation, or take legal action.
– Planning the steps: I will outline the steps involved in pursuing the complaint. This includes timelines, necessary documentation, and key actions that need to be taken at each stage. - Preparation:
– Gathering evidence: I will help the client compile all necessary evidence to support their complaint. This could include medical records, written communications, and witness statements.
– Drafting documents: I can assist in drafting all necessary documents, such as complaint letters, forms, or formal submissions, ensuring these documents are clear, concise, and compelling.
– Coaching: I will provide the client with coaching and preparation for any meetings, interviews, or hearings, helping them understand what to expect and how to present their case effectively. - Implementation:
– Submitting the complaint: We will guide our client through the process of submitting their complaint to the appropriate body, whether it’s an internal complaints department, a regulatory authority, or a legal body.
– Advocacy: I will actively represent the client in communications and negotiations with healthcare providers, regulatory bodies and other relevant parties, advocating strongly for their interests. - Monitoring Progress:
– Regular updates: I will keep the client informed of any developments or responses received, providing regular updates on the progress of their case.
– Adjusting strategy: I will be prepared to adjust the strategy as necessary based on responses and developments. This might involve escalating the complaint or exploring alternative resolution methods. - Resolution and Follow-Up:
– Achieving resolution: Working towards a satisfactory resolution of the complaint. This may involve negotiating settlements, ensuring corrective actions are taken, or obtaining formal apologies.
– Post-resolution support: Providing follow-up support to ensure any agreed-upon actions are implemented, ensuring the client understands any outcomes and next steps.
Medical Records Review
- Review of case documents: I will carefully review all relevant case documents provided by the solicitor or barrister, including medical records, witness statements, and other pertinent materials.
- Analysis of breach of duty issues: Based on the information provided, I will analyse the Breach of Duty issues involved in the case, including potential negligence, and causation.
- Desktop report preparation: Using the information gathered from the case documents, I will prepare a detailed desktop report outlining our findings, opinions, and conclusions regarding liability.
- Part 35 compliance: I will ensure that the desktop report complies with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) in the UK, adhering to the format, content, and disclosure rules for expert reports in legal proceedings.
- Liability assessment: I will provide a comprehensive assessment of liability, highlighting key legal and medical considerations and offering recommendations for further action.
- Quality assurance: I will conduct thorough quality assurance checks to ensure the accuracy, clarity, and completeness of the desktop report before it is submitted to the solicitor or barrister.
Communication Liaison
- Draft & send correspondence: I can write and send professional letters and emails on your behalf to ensure your concerns are clearly communicated.
- Arrange & attend meetings: I can coordinate and attend meetings or phone calls with healthcare providers to support you and ensure your issues are addressed.
- Explain responses: I can help you understand responses from healthcare providers by clarifying medical jargon and technical terms.
- Mediate discussions: I will act as a neutral third party to facilitate constructive dialogue and resolve conflicts between you and healthcare providers.
- Maintain records: I will keep detailed records of all communications to track progress and provide evidence if needed.
Expert Consultation Referral
- Identify needs: I will assess your specific situation to determine the type of expert you need, whether it’s a medical specialist, legal advisor, or healthcare consultant.
- Access to experts: I will connect you with a network of trusted experts who can provide the necessary consultation for your complaint.
- Facilitate referrals: I will help schedule appointments and provide background information to ensure a smooth transition to the expert.
- Prepare for consultations: I will assist in gathering relevant documents and formulating questions to make the most of your expert consultation.
- Follow-up support: I will help you understand the expert’s advice and integrate it into your complaint resolution strategy, providing ongoing support as needed.
Emotional Support
- Listening: I will offer a compassionate ear to listen to your concerns and validate your feelings.
- Reassurance: I will provide reassurance and encouragement throughout the complaints process to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
- Guidance: I will offer clear guidance on what to expect, helping you feel more prepared and confident.
- Regular check-ins: I will conductregular check-ins to monitor your emotional well-being and provide continuous support.
- Resources: I will share resources such as support groups or counselling services to further assist with emotional challenges because of your grievance and lived experiences.
Legal Guidance
- Understanding your needs: I will help you figure out what kind of legal help you need, drawing on my background as a medical legal nurse.
- Connecting you with the right solicitor: With my connections to reputable solicitors, I’ll find a solicitor who knows about your specific problem and will work for you and take your instructions
- Explain in plain language: I will make sure you understand all the legal stuff without confusing jargon, leveraging my nursing background for clarity.
- Reviewing your case papers: If I find potential evidence of a breach of duty in your case papers, we’ll help you research and choose the right solicitor to act.
- Keep you informed: Throughout the process, I will stay in touch and keep you updated on what’s happening with your case.
Educational Resources
If you’re a patient receiving care from nurses in the UK, you may want to understand the standards and regulations set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). I can provide educational resources that focus on these regulations to help you understand your rights and expectations.
For instance, I can offer materials that explain the NMC’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Proficiency in simple terms. These resources would outline what you can expect from nurses in terms of professional behaviour, ethics, and clinical practice. Additionally, I could provide guidance on what to do if you have concerns about the care you’re receiving, such as how to raise a complaint with the NMC if you believe a nurse has not met these standards.
Throughout the process, I will be available to answer any questions and provide support as you navigate these regulations, ensuring you feel confident and informed about your rights as a patient in the UK healthcare system.
Questionaire
To get a better idea of what I can do for you, and the cost involved, please download and complete the PDF questionnaire (below) and attach in an email.