Following a new process agreement, complaints are now being graded from levels 0-3 when received. Please see below for explanations on the distinctions between the levels, and the timescales involved.
| Level | Timeframe for Completion | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 - Concern | 48 hours (2 working days) | A problem raised that can be resolved/responded to straight away by the service (by the end of the next working day if possible, but no later than 48 hours of receipt). These concerns must be fully recorded on Datix and closed within the 48 hour timeframe. Any that cannot be resolved in this timeframe will need to be updated and recorded as a Level 1 complaint. |
| Level 1 - Low | 20 working days |
Unsatisfactory service or experience not directly related to care. No impact or risk to provision of care.
Unsatisfactory service or experience related to care, usually a single resolvable issue. Minimal impact and minimal risk to the provision of care or service. No real risk of litigation. |
| Level 2 - Medium | 60 working days | Service or experience below reasonable expectations in several ways, but not causing lasting problems. Requires fact finding to determine cause. Has some potential for litigation. Link with SI process to determine if SI can address TOR |
| Level 3 - High | 60 working days | Significant issues regarding standards, quality of care and safeguarding or denial of rights. Complaints with clear quality assurance or risk management issues. Issues that are deemed serious in relation to substandard care or any form of professional misconduct. This substandard care may have caused death or significant detrimental effect to a service user's physical or mental health. Will require full investigation. Possibility of litigation and adverse local publicity. Link with SI process as Level 2 |