A Guide to Making a Claim Against a Private Doctor
December 10, 2019
Although the NHS has a fairly simple complaints procedure, getting the response you deserve can be more complex when you are using a private doctor or service. You might be unhappy with the care that you receive from a private healthcare provider. So bad is it, in fact, that you want to start a claim against a private doctor. If so, this guide will help you by outlining the correct steps to take.
1. Send a complaint to the hospital or practice
This first thing you should do to start claim against a private doctor is to take your complaint to management. The best time to do this is:
- when you are still in the hospital or;
- currently receiving care from a service.
This will allow any problems to find a remedy and the care that you are receiving an investigation.
This can take the form of an oral or written complaint, especially if your grievances have gone unheeded. If you’re unhappy with the investigation, however, there are options. You may have to consider issuing a complaint via other avenues to get the response that you are looking for.
2. Complain through a written letter to your provider
When you receive private healthcare, consider how you pay for it – especially with a claim against a private doctor. This will usually be done via monthly payments to a private insurance company (PIC). In turn, the PIC then provides the means for you to get the care you need. Some points about this below:
- Your insurance company can then study the policy you have in place;
- They’ll want to check if your treatment and care has been in breach of any terms;
- Importantly, they’ll be able to take action if the care that receives didn’t meet the expectations of the policy;
- Or if it wasn’t what you agree upon with the insurance company in question.
3. Speak to the right complaints councils
If you wish to take your complaint to another organisation, you should consider speaking to the right councils. Effectively, these councils are in place specifically to manage complaints with medical services. These bodies are responsible for monitoring the state of healthcare to offer by both private and public healthcare.
For instance, the General Medical Council, which manages the services of doctors, can take on cases of misconduct by doctors. Moreover:
- the Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication covers many private healthcare services, and;
- the Financial Ombudsman Service can look into complaints that relate to problems with administration.
4. For a claim against a private doctor, turn to the Experts
If you are still unable to get the resolution that you want, you should employ a capable lawyer. Specifically, look for one who can help you work out your potential compensation and further understand the nature of your claim.
The Medical Negligence Experts only works with legal firms who operate on a No Win, No Fee basis. It is important to consult with a solicitor, as they are experienced in these matters and can help you achieve your desired outcome by representing you in court or in negotiations with the other side for a number of issues, such as misdiagnosis and medical negligence in the private healthcare industry.
Although going to court and allowing a judge to decide the compensation and solution of your case can be daunting, the specialist legal firms we work with can help to calm your fears with their professional and expert legal advice.