My experience of raising concerns
During the course of my child’s treatment, I’ve tried to seek help from various NHS professionals, from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust management and from regulators. The outcomes are summarised here:
Individual or organization I’ve contacted for help
Asked if a specialist could get more involved when an unsuitably-trained nurse was the main professional involved in my child’s care
Outcome
I was told that no change was necessary
No change was possible; the complaint was referred back to the psychiatrist and things got worse
Wrote to the (former) CEO of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
After a delay of several months, I received a letter that I found defensive
After a delay of several more months, I received an unhelpful response with several inaccuracies. The response failed to address my concerns and placed too much emphasis on how it all made me feel, rather than on the substance of my complaint.
My MP wrote to the same CEO and received a response that I found dismissive. The MP didn’t seem to have the power to do any more. They suggested that I write to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
Complained to hospital management about cruel behaviour by a psychiatrist
Contacted Healthwatch, who describe themselves as ‘Your health and social care champion‘ and I believe are somehow associated with the CQC
They couldn’t help me and didn’t pass any information to anyone else. I called them 3 times and they told me that someone would call me back but no one ever did.
Complained to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about the psychiatrist and the hospital mentioned above
No tailored response; I received a template email explaining that they have discretionary powers (meaning that they choose what they will follow up on)
Wrote to my MP
Wrote to the PHSO
This link is to an article about an interview that The Guardian newspaper conducted with the outgoing head of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in March 2024, where he expresses his views about his experience of interacting with NHS managers.