Helpful guidelines for those looking to raise concerns about health and social care standards

The Care Quality Commission is the organisation that regulates care standards in health and social care providers across England. They look at the joined up picture of health and social care and their stated aim is to ensure better care for everyone in hospital, in a care home and at home.

It has often been difficult for service users of health and social care providers (such as GPs, Dentists, hopsitals, care homes and community services) to know who they should speak to when they have a concern, a question or a complaint to make about the level and standard of service received. Whilst all health and social care providers should have an internal complaints process, this can at times be difficult for patients, service users and relatives to access.

This can be where the Care Quality Commission comes in. They have a straight forward process that service users can utilise to raise their concerns and complaints. Details of this process can be found on the home page of their website: www.cqc.org.uk