Guides › Public Services › How to Complain About the NHS
How to Complain About the NHS
Complain to the NHS service you are unhappy with first, normally within 12 months of the event or of when you found out. Free local advocacy can help. If the complaint is not resolved at the end of the process, or has not been dealt with after six months, you can go to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
How It Works
Complaining
Complain to the NHS service first, normally within 12 months of the event or when it came to your attention. Say what happened, who was involved, when and where, how it affected you, and what you want. Ask whether there is a form and when you will hear back. A local advocacy provider can help (for help finding one, call 0345 015 4033). source
The Ombudsman
You can go to the Ombudsman at the end of the NHS complaints process, or if your complaint has not been dealt with after six months. For NHS complaints you contact it directly, within a year of becoming aware of the problem. It cannot look at private healthcare unless it was NHS-funded. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 12 monthsComplain to the NHS serviceFrom the event or finding out
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Write down what happened, with dates and names.
Step 2 of 5
Complain to the GP practice, hospital or service.
Step 3 of 5
Ask a local advocacy service for help if you want it.
Step 4 of 5
Wait for the final reply.
Step 5 of 5
If unresolved, or after six months, go to the Ombudsman.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The NHS Service
Complain here first.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
After the organisation's own process.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
For private treatment, see our private hospital guide.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint/before-you-come-to-us/complain-change/tips-making-complaint-nhs-england Checked 13 October 2026
- ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint/what-we-can-and-cant-help Checked 13 October 2026