Which? has found that, when it comes to complaining about healthcare, private patients do not have the same options and support as NHS patients.
Although only one in 20 private patients felt they had cause for complaint, 45% of those who had formally complained were dissatisfied with the outcome. In addition, 40% did not think things would improve as a result of the complaint, and 38% were dissatisfied with the level of support they received in making the complaint. The investigating organisation said that this is compounded by the fact that private patients do not have routine independent advice and support even with higher risk services such as surgery. Some voluntary complaints investigation schemes for private healthcare do exist, such as the UK-wide Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, but not all organisations join such a scheme.
