Raising Concerns About Medical Care
If you feel that the care you or a loved one received didn’t meet the expected standard, it’s completely valid to want to speak up. Making a formal complaint can be an important step—not only in seeking answers or accountability, but also in helping to improve standards for others. Whether your experience was in a hospital, GP practice, or elsewhere, there are a number of ways to raise your concerns. This guide outlines your options, from hospital complaints procedures to escalating the matter with the HSE, Medical Council, or through the courts if appropriate.
Individual Hospital Complaints Procedure
If you are concerned about the treatment you received in a public or private hospital in Ireland, the first option open to you is to make an official complaint via the hospital’s own complaint procedure. The vast majority of Hospitals will have a designed person called a “Complaints Officer” who will handle your complaint. You can find out the contact details for the Complaints Officer through the hospital’s main phone number. Your complaint can be made orally or in writing but this writer would strongly recommend putting your complaint in writing to avoid any information being lost in translation.
The effectiveness of a Hospital’s Complaints Procedure is hugely varied as it depends on the willingness of the hospital staff to engage with the process.
Complaint to GP Practice
If you are concerned about the treatment you received from your GP (either attending as public patient or privately) you can make a formal complaint to the GP Practice directly. Similarly to the Hospital Complaints Procedure, the effectiveness of such a complaint will depend largely on the GP’s willingness to engage with you and the complaint you have made.
Complaint Against the Health Service Executive
If you are concerned about the treatment you received by a HSE health service you can make a complaint against the HSE.
You have 12 months from the date of the incident you are complaining of to make a complaint. The 12 month time period can also run from the date you became aware of the alleged wrong committed against you (date of knowledge). The 12 month time period can also be extended by the HSE Complaints Officer if there are special circumstances making it appropriate to depart from the strict 12 month timeframe.
There are certain circumstances which prohibit you from making a HSE complaint. For the purpose of potential medical negligence, these are as follows:
- A matter that is or has been the subject of legal proceedings;
- A matter relating solely to the exercise of clinical judgement;
- A matter that has been brought before any other complaints procedure.
Further, the HSE Complaints Officer has discretion not to investigate a complaint if he/she believes it is frivolous or has already been resolved.
Medical Council Complaint
The Medical Council is an organisation in Ireland responsible for regulating doctors. It’s role is to protect the public by promoting and ensuring the highest standard amongst doctors. As part of this role, the Medical Council handles complaints regarding a doctor’s fitness to practise medicine. The Medical Council acts in the public interest and can impose restrictions on a doctor’s registration which would restrict or remove their right to practise medicine in Ireland. The Medical Council can only investigate complaints about individual doctors and not complaints regarding Hospitals, Clinics, Nurses etc.
The Medical Council can only take action where complaints are deemed to be of a serious nature. In respect of potential medical negligence, you can only make a complaint on the following grounds:
- Professional Misconduct (Conduct that experienced, competent and reputable doctors consider disgraceful or dishonourable; conduct that falls short of the standards of conduct expected of doctors).
- Poor Professional Performance (a failure by the doctor to meet the standards of competence reasonably expected of them).
You just demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that the doctor you are complaining of was guilty of the allegations being brought against him/her. This is a higher legal test or standard of proof than that required in a medical negligence case before the Courts.
If you are successful in your Medical Council Complaint, the Medical Council has the power to do the following:
- censure and fine the doctor up to €5000
- attach conditions to the doctor’s registration
- suspend the doctor’s registration for a specific length or time
- or cancel the registration indefinitely
The Medical Council cannot order that compensation be paid to you, make a doctor apologise, or give you a detailed explanation of what happened to you.
Medical Negligence Claim via the Courts
As discussed above, there are many shortcomings with the Hospital/GP Complaints Procedure, HSE Complaints Procedure and the Medical Council Complaints Procedure. Namely, you are limited in the complaints you can make; the effectiveness of a complaints procedure depends on the willingness of the healthcare practitioners to engage and you are limited in the compensation and vindication remedies available to you. Accordingly, the medical negligence litigation process may be more appropriate.
What Happens When You Contact Me
Here’s what to expect if you decide to reach out:
- We’ll talk. I’ll listen to what happened and answer any questions you have — no pressure, no obligation.
- You’ll get clear advice. I’ll explain whether I believe you may have a case, and talk you through your options.
- I’ll investigate. If we decide to move forward, I’ll request your medical records and, where needed, seek opinions from independent experts.
- I’ll handle everything. If a claim is possible, I’ll manage the entire process personally — keeping things as simple and stress-free as possible.
What My Clients Say
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"Laura was a pleasure to deal with. While so many in the industry can be cold and intimidating, Laura was so reassuring and understanding while being very open and honest and not at all misleading. She is also so knowledgeable and speaks in terms that all can understand she is very informative. Laura gives regular updates so there is no need to worry about being forgotten. Would highly recommend Laura."
Exceptional professionalism and outstanding communication
"We were incredibly impressed by their exceptional professionalism from the outset. Laura provided clear, well-structured advice at every stage of the process. Communication was outstanding — Laura was consistently responsive and ensured that we were fully informed throughout the case. This level of attentiveness gave us great confidence that the matter was being handled with the utmost care and diligence. Laura’s ability to balance empathy with rigorous legal expertise was truly commendable. I would have no hesitation in recommending Croke Medical Law."
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I felt guided and reassured throughout
"From the beginning, Laura was supportive, clear, and honest. I felt reassured and guided throughout, and I couldn’t recommend her highly enough."
Always available, always compassionate
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Supported and guided us
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Not sure if you have a case? Let's talk.
If you’re unsure whether you have a case or just need some guidance, let’s have a quick chat. No pressure, no obligation — just clear, honest advice to help you understand your options.
You can reach me directly by phone, email, or simply fill out the contact form here. I’ll personally take the time to listen and point you in the right direction.
Email: laura@crokemedicallaw.com
Phone: +353 83 330 1674