We sometimes receive complaints from relatives, personal representatives, carers or friends of patients.
Where a response may breach patient confidentiality, consent will always be sought from the patient before a response is issued. We may also need proof of the complainant’s identity (eg copy of a photographic form of identity and utility bill for proof of address).
Additional consent may be needed:
- Where the patient is under 16 years old, we may also seek consent from their representative (eg holder of parental responsibility/guardian) to sign the consent form – please include documented evidence of you holding this role.
- Where the patient lacks capacity to give their consent, we will need their personal representative to sign the consent form and provide proof of their eligibility to sign (eg power or letter of attorney), as well as proof of the complainant’s identity.
- Where the patient has passed away, we will need their personal representative to sign the consent form and a copy of 'Grant of Probate' or 'Letter of Administration' (if there is no will), as well as the complainant’s proof of identity.
We appreciate your co-operation in providing this information and your understanding that information may be limited until consent has been received by our team.