Health Service Executive changes complaints process

New methods for handling complaints against the health service and social service providers came into effect today.

From now on, complaints have to be acknowledged and dealt with in a certain time frame and the Health Service Executive (HSE) must make findings and recommendations.

Dissatisfied patients can pursue their case through an independent appeal and ultimately the Children's Ombudsman will have responsibility in the area.

Greg Price of the HSE said there will be plenty of information available on how to make complaints.

“There will be information, leaflets and posters available in all locations so that people will be given telephone numbers and the addresses of who to send the complaints to,” he said.

“Then they will be given to a complaints officers and people will be informed then as to what exactly the complaints process will be.”