When you visit your GP (general practitioner), you trust them to provide a reasonable standard of care. Most of the time, they do. However, for some of our clients, their GP’s actions – or lack of action – harmed their health. If you believe your GP has been negligent, it’s important to understand your rights, the steps you can take, and what outcomes you might expect.
Understand what constitutes GP negligence
Negligence isn’t just about being unhappy with your treatment. To be legally considered negligent, your GP must have:
- Breached their duty of care – This means their care fell below the standard expected of a competent GP.
- Caused harm – You must have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of that breach.
Common examples include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Prescribing the wrong medication
- Failing to refer you to a specialist
- Not acting on test results
Speak to Your GP First
Before escalating the issue, it can be helpful to talk to your GP directly. In some cases, misunderstandings can be resolved with a conversation, and the GP may offer an explanation or apology. This can sometimes lead to quicker resolution and reassurance than going straight to the formal stage.
How to make a formal complaint about your GP
If you’re not satisfied after speaking to your GP, you can make a formal complaint through your GP surgery’s complaints procedure. This usually involves writing a letter or filling out a form. The practice is legally required to provide details on how to make a formal complaint.
- You should normally make a complaint within 12 months of the incident.
- Try to keep your tone calm and factual when making a written complaint, even if you are upset. This will help your complaint to be taken seriously and responded to more quickly.
To help you structure your complaint, we’ve created a template letter which you can use when writing to your GP practice.
Template letter to use when complaining about your GP
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Town/City]
[Postcode]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
Practice Manager
[GP Practice Name]
[Practice Address]
[Town/City]
[Postcode]
Dear Practice Manager,
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding GP Appointment on [Date]
I am writing to raise a formal complaint regarding the care I received from Dr. [Full Name] at your practice during my appointment on [insert date], which I found unsatisfactory for the reasons set out below.
[Clearly outline the issue – e.g.:
“During the consultation, I felt that my concerns about [describe the medical issue] were not fully listened to or investigated. I left the appointment feeling dismissed and unsure about my next steps, which has caused me distress.”
OR
“I was given incorrect information about [describe], which has since led to further complications.”
OR
“There was a significant delay in receiving [treatment/test results/referral], which I believe was avoidable.”]
I appreciate that the NHS is under pressure and that GPs work extremely hard, but I do feel this situation could and should have been handled differently. I am raising this complaint not only to express my concerns, but also in the hope that improvements can be made for future patients.
I would be grateful if you could investigate the matter and let me know what actions, if any, will be taken as a result. I would also appreciate a written response outlining your findings.
Please let me know if you require any further information from me.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Involve the Health Ombudsman
If you’re unhappy with how your complaint was handled by the GP surgery or if you feel it wasn’t handled fairly, you can escalate it to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The PHSO investigates complaints about how health services were delivered.
This is a free service and does not require legal representation.
The PHSO is independent of the NHS and investigates complaints about:
- Poor treatment or service.
- Unfair handling of a complaint.
Before contacting the PHSO, you must show that you’ve completed the GP surgery’s own complaints process.
More details can be found at https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint
Seek legal advice
If you believe you’ve suffered significant harm due to GP negligence, and especially if it has affected your quality of life or caused you to struggle financially, you may want to consider making a clinical negligence claim.
At Davies and Partners, we specialise in helping people who have experienced GP negligence.
We will listen to what has happened to you, review your records and advise you clearly on whether you have a claim.
If you’ve got concerns about your treatment, get in touch
Raising concerns about a GP’s care can be daunting, but you have a right to safe and competent treatment. If you believe your GP has been negligent, taking measured steps -from raising a complaint to seeking legal advice – can help you get the answers, support, or compensation you deserve. At Davies and Partners, we have a team to support you when making a claim.
Remember, every case is different. Whether you seek resolution through the NHS complaints process or through legal action, the most important thing is to ensure your concerns are heard and your wellbeing is prioritised.