The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report “Making Complaints Count” provides the results from research undertaken by PHSO that highlights similar themes from complaints about public services – in summary: Failure to respond to the points raised by those who complain Poor coordination of investigations Delays in responding to those who raise complaints Failure … Continue reading Making Complaints Count
ISCAS has previously highlighted the blog of Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), in which he explained the different escalation points for complaints for NHS funded patients and privately funded patients. In the blog, Professor Baker reminds service providers, including NHS private patient units (NHSPPUs), that private patients … Continue reading ISCAS position on escalating private patient complaints in the NHS
The report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS Review) has been subtitled First Do No Harm – a phrase that those working in healthcare know as a first principle. The report recognises that the healthcare system has lots to be proud of, especially at this time of the pandemic. Sadly the … Continue reading First Do No Harm
In the week of the 72nd Birthday of the NHS, the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has published a new report that shows how the independent sector has stepped up to increase the support to the NHS. Working together during Covid-19 provides many examples of how healthcare providers have come together to ensure treatments can … Continue reading Health Information Week
The Paterson Inquiry Report was published in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic spread to the UK. The report made a number of recommendations including the need to explain the differences between how private treatment is organised, including the use of ‘practising privileges’ and recommendations on having more effective communication about escalating complaints. ISCAS … Continue reading Patient Focus Group
The news this week about schools has brought the complex issue about reopening any facility into sharp focus. This is also relevant to private healthcare and cosmetic services. The General Medical Council (GMC) has set out how it would respond to doctors considering reopening cosmetic clinics and this can be found on the JCCP website. … Continue reading Reopening services: Guidance from GMC
ISCAS has developed, with the Patients Association, information for people to help signpost them to guidance that can inform conversations about the reintroduction of private healthcare and cosmetic services. This is a very fast-moving position and information is being updated regularly. The COVID-19 recovery strategy means that people should be returning to work where they … Continue reading Patient Information COVID-19: Reopening private services
Subscribers to ISCAS handle complaints as set out in the Code of Practice for Complaints Handling. Standard 2 of the ISCAS Code states that Independent Healthcare Providers (IHPs) shall: Ensure that the procedure for handling complaints is well-publicised and readily available. For example, IHP websites should include information on ‘how to complain’ and confirm their … Continue reading Patient Information – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
During these unprecedented times ISCAS, like so many others, is adapting to the circumstances in order to maintain services and support the wider public health agenda. The priority is that everyone follows the Government’s latest guidance. Here are some of the actions that we, and other organisations we work with, are taking: The ISCAS London … Continue reading Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson highlights how patients were let down time and time again. It is difficult to read given the heart-breaking details of the brave patients who came forward to provide their account. ISCAS would like to extend an apology to all those affected by Ian Paterson who … Continue reading Paterson Report recommends improvements in complaints handling
