Hi, I injured my arm at work two weeks ago and went straight to A&E. The doctor who saw me assured me that my arm was not broken to the extent that he laughed off my suggestion of taking a X-ray. He even said I didn't need to see my G.P and that it would heal in three days.

Since Then I went a week later to my G.P as things started to get worse. He arranged a X-ray and I found out that indeed there was a fracture. I went straight back to the A&E, and was consulted properly by a doctor. He arranged me to come back and I saw another doctor who has now told me that there an implication on the bone.

He hinted that the first doctor should have done an X-ray I have now submitted a complaint with a A&E doctor. Can you advise me of my rights, I want to make sure this doctor doesn't do this to anyone else.

Thank you,

Mohammad.

Mohammad,

you immediatley write a letter to the Complaints manager at the hospital where you were treated. you give them all the details you can, then sit back. they have 30 working days to reply to you. If you don't like their answer you can write again and dispute anything they say. if it still not resolved to your satifaction, you then escalate your complaint to the heathcare Commission. You will be advised all of this in a leaflet sent to you by the Complaints Manager.

Hi,

Thankyou very much for the help.

The A&E wrote down my complaint in a full statement of the incident and also supplied me with a copy of my medical notes. She gave me her name and of the carless doctor. She said to wait about a week for a reply as she said she would forward it to the department regarding complaints/claims.

Shall I wait or go ahead in writing myself.

I'm due back next Thursday to the hospital to attend the Trauma/ orthopedic clinic.

Mohammad,

I would still write in to the complaints manager. things have a way of disappearing between departments and not getting to the right people. It takes longer than a week for the process to take place.

Have you heard of the expression Poachers turned gamekeeprers? I am not saying this is the case but......

It is best to have a your complaint lodged through the correct channels. This way you will have the paper trail laid when needed.

Good luck

Okay, I will. It's better to be safe than sorry. It may also show that I am very serious about this.

Many thanks again for your help,

Mohammad

Hi

I would advise that you write a letter to the complaints department and send this via recorded delivery, they will then have to acknowledge your complaint and let you know what the case number is and also usually who will be dealing with your complaint.

Update:

The Doctor who said she would forward my claim, actually did so and I have recieved a letter confirming (From complaints manager), as Battleaxe said that the investigation should take 30 days or so and who to get in contact to etc.

I guess I have to wait and see now what happens.