Pohwer is a charity that promotes information, advocacy and advice services across England. It is an independent, free service reaching individuals struggling with particular challenges in life.
They deliver the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy to 20 London boroughs including Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham. You can use the service to process a complaint about any NHS service you have received (e.g. hospital, GP, dentist or optician etc)
Pohwer can give you information on:-
•How to make a complaint and to whom
•Explain the complaints procedure
•Signpost you to other relevant organisations
•Send you an information booklet for you to make your own complaint
•Provide you with an advocate to support you if necessary
An advocate will listen to you and help you to decide your next step. They can then write letters, get medical records, find out information and arrange meetings with NHS staff if this is deemed to be helpful.
You can download the selfhelp information by accessing the Pohwer website on www.pohwer.net and also contact them on0203 553 5960 if you don’ know whether or not to make a complaint.
The final stage of the NHS complaints procedure - if all else fails – is to contact the Health Service Ombudsman. Your advocate can help you with this.
