Complaints procedure

We take complaints about our work, staff and levels of service very seriously. If you are not satisfied, please follow the process for raising a formal complaint.

What complaints we can and cannot deal with

We can only handle complaints about the work, staff and levels of service provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

We cannot deal with complaints about:

  • hospitals, GP practices and other NHS services
  • social care services

For complaints about these services, see DHSC general enquiries.

How to make a formal complaint about DHSC

What information we’ll need from you

If you want to make a formal complaint about DHSC, we will need:

  • a clear, detailed description of what your complaint is about
  • copies of any letters or emails related to the complaint
  • a correspondence case reference number, if you have it
  • your email address or postal address (so we can reply)

How to make your complaint

Please submit your complaint in writing to dhsc.publicenquiries@dhsc.gov.uk.

The complaints manager will forward your complaint on to the relevant team leader to begin the investigation.

Please note that it is advisable to provide sufficient detail of your complaint to ensure your concerns are comprehensively covered.

What happens next

When you’ve made your complaint, we will send an email to let you know that we’ve received it (as long as you’ve provided a valid email address).

Our complaints process has 3 stages:

  • stage 1 - complaints go to the team leader of the individual or team that your complaint references. The team leader will investigate, with a target of responding to your complaint within 20 working days
  • stage 2 - complaints are investigated by the senior manager responsible for the team that your complaint references. They will investigate with a target of responding to your complaint within 20 working days
  • stage 3 - complaints are investigated by a senior manager who is independent of the individual or team that your complaint references. They will investigate with a target of responding to your complaint within 20 working days

What to do if you’re not satisfied

At each stage of our complaints process, you will be provided with the information to escalate your complaint if you are unhappy with the response that you receive.

If, after following the 3 stages of our complaints process, you are not satisfied with the outcome of your formal complaint, you can ask your local MP to refer it to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

You have to go through your MP - you cannot approach the ombudsman directly. The ombudsman investigates complaints where government departments or other public bodies have not acted properly or fairly, or have provided a poor service. Government departments have to co-operate with the ombudsman by law.

Appealing against a decision by the ombudsman

If you are unhappy with the ombudsman’s decision, you can appeal directly to the ombudsman.

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