Frustration, complaints and feedback

When access problems lead to anger or loss of trust, reception staff should acknowledge the person's frustration and explain the correct feedback or complaints route. Staff should not try to investigate a complaint during an access call.
Keep two things separate: the person's immediate healthcare need, which still requires the correct clinical process, and their concern about the service. Both matter but are handled differently.
Complain for change
Keep the two tracks clear
- Listen and acknowledge the frustration.
- Continue to handle the current health request safely.
- Record service concerns according to local policy.
- Give the feedback or complaints route if the patient wants it.
- Escalate abuse, threats or staff-safety concerns.
A complaint about access does not remove the need to handle the patient's current health request safely.

