Complaints

Update: December 2020
I am not currently updating the contents of this blog but have left it here as a resource or at least, a starting point for finding out more. You should check the gov.uk website for any up to date documents.

Important note: the National Framework was revised in 2018, so please double check Gov.UK for the latest version, and do not rely on the contents of this blog unless I have specifically marked the page as having the correct and most recent wording.

WARNING: The wording below has not yet been checked and updated in line with 2018 National Framework documents.

The National Framework sets out how a family or an individual might challenge a decision on eligibility for funding or complain about the process. Paragraphs 145 – 160 are relevant (reproduced below). See also Annex F – Disputes and challenges – and the National Framework’s Practice Guidance on Disputes.

Be aware that Healthwatch identified in March 2014 that complaints against the NHS “are going unheard because the current system is simply too complex.” Read more here …..

Complaints about the NHS, and the handling of those complaints, were described by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman as a “toxic cocktail”, a combination of a reluctance on the part of citizens “to express their concerns or complaints”, and a defensiveness on the part of services “to hear and address concerns”.
Read more from the Parliamentary (Commons Select Committee) Public Adminstration Committee’s 12th Report, “More Complaints Please“(pdf), published 26th March 2014. Extracts from the report, ie those concerning the NHS, can be found here.

What does the All Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s Report “Failing to Care” (2013) say about CHC funding and the NHS? Download: Failing to care_appg summary 2013  and Failing to care_appg ful lreport 2013 (pdf)

Read the NHS “Good Complaints Handling for CCG’s” (May 2013)  (online version)
Download: Good-complaints-handling-for-CCGs NHS May 2013(pdf)

National Framework: Dispute resolution

Challenges  to individual decisions

145.   The formal responsibility for informing individuals of the decision about eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare and of their right to request a review lies with that CCG with which the individual is a patient for the purposes of NHS continuing healthcare, in line with current DH ‘responsible commissioner’ guidance (currently Who Pays? Establishing the Responsible Commissioner).

146.   Whether or not it is considered that the person has a primary health need, the CCG should give clear reasons for its decision. These should set out the basis on which the decision was made and explain the arrangements and timescales for dealing with a review of the eligibility decision in the event that the individual or someone acting on their behalf disagrees with it.

147.   Where a full assessment has been undertaken of potential eligibility using the Decision Support Tool (or by use of the Fast Track Pathway Tool), and a decision has been reached, if the individual is challenging that decision, this should be addressed through the local resolution procedure (unless the Board decides that requiring the person to do so would cause undue delay)25. (25 =  National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012 taking account of all the information available, including additional information from the individual  or  carer.  A  clear  and  written  response  should  be  given  including  the individual’s (and, where appropriate, their representative’s) rights under the NHS complaints procedure if they remain dissatisfied with the position) Where it has not been possible to resolve the matter through the local procedure the individual may apply to the Board for an independent review of the decision, if they are dissatisfied with:

a)  the procedure followed by the Board or a CCG in reaching its decision as to the person’s eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare; or

b)   the decision regarding eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare

Where  the  Board,  rather  than  a  CCG, has  taken an  eligibility  decision  which  is subsequently disputed by the individual, the Board must ensure that, in organising a review of that decision, it makes appropriate arrangements as regards the manner in which it organises this review so as to avoid any conflict of interest.

148.  If an individual has been screened out from full consideration following use of the Checklist, they may ask the CCG to reconsider its decision and agree to a full assessment of eligibility (i.e. arrange for the Decision Support Tool to be completed and a decision made on eligibility). The CCG should give this request due consideration,

149.   CCGs and the Board should deal promptly with any request to review decisions about eligibility for either NHS continuing healthcare or NHS-funded nursing care.

150.    There are two stages involved in dealing with any requests for a review:

a)   a local review process at CCG level; and

b)       a request to the Board, which may then refer the matter to an independent review panel.

151.   Each CCG should agree a local review process. These review processes should include timescales  and  should  be  made  publicly  available,  and  a  copy  should  be  sent  to anybody who requests a review of a decision

152.   Once local procedures have been exhausted, the case should be referred to the Board’s independent review panel (IRP) (details in Annex E), which will consider the case and make a recommendation to the CCG. If using local processes would cause undue delay, the Board has the discretion to agree that the matter should proceed direct to an IRP, without completion of the local process.

153.    The key principles for resolving disputes regarding NHS continuing healthcare eligibility (including both local procedures and independent review panels) are:

•     gathering and scrutiny of all available and appropriate evidence, whether written or oral including that from the GP, hospital (nursing, medical, mental health, therapies, etc.), community nursing services, care home provider, local authority records, assessments, Checklists, Decision Support Tools, records of deliberations of multidisciplinary teams, panels, etc., as well as any information submitted by the individual concerned;

•   compilation of a robust and accurate identification of the care needs;

•   audit of attempts to gather any records said not to be available;

•     involvement of the individual or their representative as far as possible, including the opportunity for them to contribute and to comment on information at all stages;

•   a full record of deliberations of the review panel, made available to all parties;

•     clear and evidenced written conclusions on the process followed by the NHS body and also on the individual’s eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare, together with appropriate recommendations on actions to be taken. This should include the appropriate rationale related to this guidance.

154.   All  parties  involved  should  be  able  to  view  and  comment  on  all  evidence  to  be considered under the relevant disputes procedure. Where written records or other evidence  are  requested,  the  CCG  making  the  request  should  ensure  that  those providing the evidence are aware that it will be made available to those involved in the IRP. Where, in exceptional circumstances, those providing written records place any restrictions on their availability to all parties, the position should be discussed with the chair of the relevant disputes resolution body. The chair should consider the most appropriate way forward to ensure that all parties can play a full and informed role in the process.

155.   IRPs have a scrutiny and reviewing role. It is therefore not necessary for any party to be legally represented at IRP hearings, although individuals may choose to be represented by family, advocates, advice services or others in a similar role if they wish.

156.   The role of the IRP is advisory, but its recommendations should be accepted by the Board (and subsequently by the CCG) in all but exceptional circumstances (see Annex E).

157.   If the original decision is upheld and there is still a challenge, the  individual has the right to contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to request a review.

158.   The  individual’s  rights  under  the  existing  NHS  and  social  services  complaints procedures remain unaltered by the above.

Practice Guidance Notes – see part 2 of document on disputes.

Page 94:  There are two different kinds  of dispute  that may arise in relation  to NHS continuing healthcare

Page 95:  What issues should  be considered at the Checklist stage of the decision-making process  to avoid or resolve disputes?

Page 95:  What issues  should  be considered at the DST stage of the decision- making process  to avoid or resolve  disputes?

Page 96:  What factors  need to be considered in local disputes processes?

Page 96:  What if the dispute  crosses  CCG/LA borders?

Page 96:  What if the individual wishes to challenge  the final eligibility decision made by the CCG?

Disputes  regarding the responsible body

159.   CCGs and LAs in each local area should agree a local disputes resolution process to resolve  cases  where  there  is  a  dispute  between  them  about  eligibility  for  NHS continuing healthcare, about the apportionment of funding in joint funded care/support packages, or about the operation of refunds guidance (see Annex F). Disputes should not delay the provision of the care package, and the protocol should make clear how funding will be provided pending resolution of the dispute. Where disputes relate to LAs and CCGs in different geographical areas, the disputes resolution process of the responsible CCG should normally be used in order to ensure resolution in a robust and timely manner. This should include agreement on how funding will be provided during the dispute, and arrangements for reimbursement to the agencies involved once the dispute is resolved.

160.   DH ‘responsible commissioner’ guidance sets out expectations for when there is a dispute between CCGs as to responsibility. The underlying principle is that there should be no gaps in responsibility – no treatment should be refused or delayed due to uncertainty or ambiguity as to which CCG is responsible for funding an individual’s healthcare provision. CCGs should agree interim responsibilities for who funds the package until the dispute is resolved. Where the CCGs are unable to resolve their dispute the matter should be referred to the Board.

Practice Guidance Note – see part 2 of document.

Page 97:  What can key agencies do to improve  partnership working in relation  to NHS continuing healthcare?

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