Formal NHS Complaint
Stage 1 NHS complaint letter to a provider in England, before escalation to PHSO.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
You have a complaint about NHS care or treatment in England — GP practice, hospital trust, community provider, or commissioning body. Required before escalating to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
When NOT to use this template
For clinical negligence damages — issue a civil claim under the Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes. For safeguarding concerns — alert the local authority's safeguarding team.
Legal Basis
Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009.
Before you send
- Missing the 12-month time limit (extendable in exceptional circumstances)
- Not requesting medical records — get a DSAR copy of your notes before complaining
- Mixing a complaint with a damages claim — keep them separate
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Missing the 12-month time limit (extendable in exceptional circumstances)
- ✗Not requesting medical records — get a DSAR copy of your notes before complaining
- ✗Mixing a complaint with a damages claim — keep them separate
Build Your Letter
Fill in your details
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Letter preview
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Patient ID / NHS Number: [NHS NUMBER]] [Telephone] [Email] [NHS PROVIDER NAME] — Complaints Manager [NHS PROVIDER ADDRESS] Date: [DATE] Dear Sir or Madam, NHS Complaint — Stage 1 I wish to make a formal complaint under the NHS Complaints Procedure about my care. 1. My details Name: [YOUR NAME] Date of birth: [YOUR DATE OF BIRTH] NHS number: [NHS NUMBER] 2. The events Date(s) of treatment: [DATE(S) OF TREATMENT] Clinical area: [CLINICAL AREA] Clinician(s) involved: [CLINICIANS INVOLVED] [WHAT HAPPENED] 3. The concerns [YOUR SPECIFIC CONCERNS] 4. The impact on me [IMPACT ON YOU (PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL)] 5. What I want [WHAT YOU WANT] 6. Records and consent I consent to you reviewing my medical records to investigate this complaint. I would also like a copy of all records relevant to the events complained of — please treat this as a subject access request under Article 15 UK GDPR if necessary. Please acknowledge this complaint within 3 working days and respond within 6 months. If I am not satisfied with the response, I will refer the matter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.