Patients complain 23,000 times to the HSE

The HSE received more than 23,000 formal complaints about the health service in 2016. The main issues raised included access, dignity and respect, safe and effective care, communication, and clinical judgement.

The complaints relate to hospitals and community healthcare organisations, as well as the National Ambulance Service and Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS).

Statutory hospitals, which are managed directly by the HSE, accounted for 5,019 of the complaints received in 2016; while voluntary hospitals, which are publicly funded but run by voluntary organisations, received 7,104 complaints. Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs), which are responsible for the delivery of primary care, social care and disability services, were the subject of 3,984 complaints.