07 February 2018
5 min read
In Queensland, the Office of the Health Ombudsman (the OHO) receives and manages complaints about health service providers.
For health practitioners in New South Wales, the relevant body is the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission.
In other states and territories, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency handles complaints. This article focuses on complaints made within Queensland, but please contact us if you would like advice on the complaints processes in other jurisdictions.
The scope of regulators to manage complaints
Anybody can make a complaint about a health service. The OHO has the power to deal with complaints about registered health practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (Cth).
OHO powers include complaints made about unregistered health practitioners, such as nutritionists, naturopaths, dieticians and speech pathologists. The OHO deals with complaints about both public and private entities which provide health services.
The complaints process
Patients may make a complaint for a number of reasons, for example, the patient may be dissatisfied with a health service and want an apology for any distress caused, or may wish to improve the service for the public. When the OHO receives a complaint, it will typically decide whether to accept or reject the complaint within seven days unless the complaint is considered to be complex. If the complaint is accepted, the OHO will commence the assessment process which can take up to 30 days.
In some circumstances, the OHO may ask the health practitioner to provide submissions as to why action should not be taken in response to the complaint. The OHO will usually allow a health practitioner to provide a response within 14 days from the date of the request.
If the OHO decides to take a complaint forward, it may:
Even if a complaint is not taken further, the OHO will keep a copy of the complaint on file to assist in identifying any systematic behaviour.
How to handle a complaint
Local complaint
If you are approached at a local level, we recommend that you take time to listen to the patient’s complaint and take steps to reflect on any possible solutions. Taking a complaint seriously in its infancy can prevent a formal complaint from being lodged with the OHO. The OHO recommends to consumers that a local approach is taken initially, and if the local discussion does not result in a satisfactory outcome, a formal complaint is made.
It will be beneficial for you, or your employer, to have a complaints process which sets out the steps involved in receiving, investigating and resolving complaints. For example, your complaints process may include the following steps:
Listen to the consumer about their complaint, and if the conversation is verbal, take adequate notes about the details of the complaint.
Take the time to explain to the consumer how the complaint will be managed. This can ensure that the consumer is confident with the process and may prevent escalation of the complaint.
If you feel that it would be inappropriate for you to personally manage the complaint, put the consumer into contact with somebody who can manage the complaint.
Give the consumer an idea of the timeframe in which the complaint will be assessed and actioned.
Handle the complaint in a reasonable way, and even though the complaint may upset you, ensure you do not harass or intimidate the complainant.
Formal complaint
If a complaint to the OHO is made, you will receive written notification of the complaint.
Once you have read through the complaint, you may like to consider the following guide to handling the complaint.
Any contact from a health complaints Regulator should be given urgent priority.
Retrieve and ensure you have complete records in relation to the patient’s treatment history, and assist to demonstrate how the consumer’s health matter was handled.
Make a note of any key dates, such as the date on which a response is required from you.
Call your medical indemnity insurer and provide any relevant documents (such as the complaint letter and your notes).
If the complaint requires a response:
As a general rule, you should never contact the patient directly, as this will often be considered as inappropriate.
Key takeaways
Authors: Rachel Drew and Rose Sanderson
Contacts:
Brisbane
Rachel Drew, Partner - Workplace Relations & Safety
T: +61 7 3135 0617
E: rachel.drew@holdingredlich.com
Paul Venus, Partner - Dispute Resolution & Litigation
T: +61 7 3135 0613
E: paul.venus@holdingredlich.com
Carl Hinze, Partner - Corporate & Commercial
T: +61 7 3135 0630
E: carl.hinze@holdingredlich.com
Melbourne
Lisa Cody, Partner - Property & Real Estate
T: +61 3 9321 9872
E: lisa.cody@holdingredlich.com
Benjamin Marshall, Partner - Workplace Relations & Safety
T: +61 3 9321 9864
E: ben.marshall@holdingredlich.com
Sydney
Scott Alden, Partner - Construction & Infrastructure
T: +61 2 8083 0419
E: scott.alden@holdingredlich.com
Helena Golovanoff, Partner - Construction & Infrastructure
T: +61 2 8083 0443
E: helena.golovanoff@holdingredlich.com
Darren Pereira, Partner - Corporate & Commercial
T: +61 2 8083 0487
E: darren.pereira@holdingredlich.com
Michael Selinger, Partner - Workplace Relations & Safety
T: +61 2 8083 0430
E: michael.selinger@holdingredlich.com
Disclaimer
The information in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this publication is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. We are not responsible for the information of any source to which a link is provided or reference is made and exclude all liability in connection with use of these sources.
