Independent review by the Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission was established under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (external link)
and is known in legislation by its full name, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI).
The Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (Explanation, Statements of Action and Co-operation) Regulations 2004 (external link)
The Healthcare Commission took over the second stage, independent review, of the NHS complaints procedure in England from July 30th 2004. Individuals can ask the Healthcare Commission to review their complaint if they remain dissatisfied with the outcome from local resolution. Where local resolution has
- been refused,
- has taken more than six months
or
if the complainant has grounds for believing that it is not being carried out properly, the Healthcare Commission may decide to review the complaint before the end of local resolution.
The Healthcare Commission has discretion to accept late complaints where the reasons for the delay are considered to be reasonable.
The amended regulations increase the time within which a complainant may request the consideration of a complaint by the Healthcare Commission. Requests for independent review must be made within 6 months of the end of local resolution.
The independent review stage operated by the Healthcare Commission applies NHS Foundation Trusts.
Next: Independent review by the Health Service Ombudsman (HSC)
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