Health & Wellbeing guide

Raise a concern or complaint about NHS care

Raise a problem with NHS care effectively: speak up early, use PALS or local equivalents, make a formal complaint and know when to go to an ombudsman.

Time needed: 1–2 hours, then follow-up over weeksUpdated: 28 September 2026

Most concerns about NHS care can be resolved quickly when they are raised clearly and early. When they cannot, there is a formal complaints process with independent review at the end. This guide helps you organise your concern and follow the right route for your part of the UK.

Step by step

  1. Deal with any urgent health need first

    If you or the person you care for needs medical help now, get it before anything else: call 999 in an emergency or NHS 111 for urgent advice. A complaint is not the right route for urgent clinical concerns.

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