Writing a Strong Complaint Letter to a Hospital (with Sample)
Use this sample complaint letter to a hospital as a template for your formal complaint letter.
Last updated on November 25, 2023
If a patient or the legal guardian of a patient is dissatisfied by the treatment they received while in a hospital, he or she has the right to formally complain.
The first step is to find out where to take a complaint at the hospital and try to meet someone personally. If the patient does not receive satisfaction through these means, they should next write a complaint letter.
A complaint letter to a hospital may be addressed directly to the nurse, doctor or other person responsible for the dissatisfaction. The letter can also be directed to the head of the department or head of the hospital.
If no satisfactory response is received from any of these places, a formal complaint can be filed with the Board of Health or other regulatory agency.
The following things should be included in the complaint letter to a hospital:
The first step is to find out where to take a complaint at the hospital and try to meet someone personally. If the patient does not receive satisfaction through these means, they should next write a complaint letter.
A complaint letter to a hospital may be addressed directly to the nurse, doctor or other person responsible for the dissatisfaction. The letter can also be directed to the head of the department or head of the hospital.
If no satisfactory response is received from any of these places, a formal complaint can be filed with the Board of Health or other regulatory agency.
The following things should be included in the complaint letter to a hospital:
- The name, address and phone number of the complainant
- The date of the treatment and name of the person who gave the treatment
- The complaint should be briefly described
- Possible outcomes of the complaint should be mentioned
- Copies of supporting documents should be attached
Hospitals are Notoriously Slow to Respond to Complaints
Hospitals are notoriously slow to respond to complaint letters, which can be very frustrating for the sender. It may save a lot of grief if the complainant understands what they can expect.
The sender can ask a hospital representative about the procedures for handling complaints. They can ask who will see the complaint letter and what possible actions may be taken.
They can also ask how long it will take to get a response and if any information about the process will be given. The hospital complaints staff may help the patient set times when they can hope to get some information.
Hospitals are notoriously slow to respond to complaint letters, which can be very frustrating for the sender. It may save a lot of grief if the complainant understands what they can expect.
The sender can ask a hospital representative about the procedures for handling complaints. They can ask who will see the complaint letter and what possible actions may be taken.
They can also ask how long it will take to get a response and if any information about the process will be given. The hospital complaints staff may help the patient set times when they can hope to get some information.
Before writing the letter, it is important for the patient to decide what results they hope to see. They may want an apology or changes made in the procedures at the hospital. They may even want someone to be reprimanded or fired. This will be part of the complaint letter.
Prepare for Writing
Prepare for writing the letter. It will help the position of the complainant if they write down everything they can remember regarding the treatment. Names, dates and specific occurrences should be noted down for future reference. Patients should gather any objective evidence they can. Otherwise, the complaint may become one person’s word against another’s.
Prepare for Writing
Prepare for writing the letter. It will help the position of the complainant if they write down everything they can remember regarding the treatment. Names, dates and specific occurrences should be noted down for future reference. Patients should gather any objective evidence they can. Otherwise, the complaint may become one person’s word against another’s.
As mentioned earlier, the patient should find out to whom to direct the letter. It may be the same person they talked to earlier. They may also want to direct the letter to the head of the hospital.
The letter should be sent by registered post, so the patient has proof of sending and that the letter was received. No original documents should be sent and a copy of the exact package sent to the hospital should be sent by the patient to him or herself.
Here is a sample of a complaint letter about treatment in a hospital:
The letter should be sent by registered post, so the patient has proof of sending and that the letter was received. No original documents should be sent and a copy of the exact package sent to the hospital should be sent by the patient to him or herself.
Here is a sample of a complaint letter about treatment in a hospital:
Sample Complaint Letter to a Hospital
Patient’s Name
Patient’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone number
Date
Name of Contact Person
Name of Hospital
Hospital Address
City, State, Zip Code
Re: Service provided in emergency room
Dear Mr/Ms Name of Person,
On March 25th this year, I entered your emergency room for treatment of a painful arm. I waited for two hours while in excruciating pain before being admitted into the examining room where I was seen by Doctor Name and Nurse Name. An X-ray was taken, and I was told there was no serious problem and was given some pain killers.
Since the pain did not subside after two days, I went to Name of other Hospital, where an X-ray was taken that showed my arm was fractured.
Since I suffered unnecessarily, I would like to know that the doctor and nurse who attended to me in your hospital have been reprimanded for this negligence. Enclosed are copies of the documents from the second hospital.
I know the emergency room was very crowded, but when I finally saw a doctor, I expected an accurate diagnosis.
Kindly let me know what, if any, action will be taken in this case. I am home every day and can be reached at 555 123 4567 or name@email.com.
Sincerely,
Patient’s signature
Patient’s name
List of enclosures
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: A Complaint Letter to a Hospital is a formal written document that expresses dissatisfaction or concern regarding the services, treatment, or experiences received at a hospital. It is a way for patients or their representatives to address any issues they have encountered during their stay or interaction with the hospital staff.
Q: How should one address the recipient in a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: When addressing the recipient in a Complaint Letter to a Hospital, it is best to use a formal salutation. If you know the name of the specific individual you are addressing, you can use their name directly. For example, you can start with "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]." This shows that you have taken the effort to address your concerns to the appropriate person.
If you are not sure about the specific individual's name or if you are writing a more general complaint, you can use a more generic salutation such as "Dear Hospital Administrator" or "To Whom It May Concern." While these salutations are less personalized, they are still considered appropriate for formal communication.
Q: How soon should one send a Complaint Letter to a Hospital after the incident?
Answer: It is advisable to send a Complaint Letter to a Hospital as soon as possible after the incident or as soon as you become aware of the issue. Writing and sending the letter promptly ensures that the details and emotions associated with the incident are fresh in your mind. Additionally, it allows the hospital administration to address the issue promptly and take appropriate actions for resolution.
However, if you are unable to send the letter immediately due to personal circumstances or the need to gather more information, it is still acceptable to send it at a later date. Just make sure that your complaint is sent within a reasonable timeframe to ensure that the hospital has an opportunity to investigate and address your concerns effectively.
Q: Is it necessary to provide evidence or supporting documents with a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: While it is not always necessary, providing evidence or supporting documents can strengthen your Complaint Letter to a Hospital and make your case more compelling. If you have any relevant documents, such as medical reports, invoices, or correspondence, that support your complaint, it is recommended to include copies of those documents with your letter.
Including evidence can help validate your claims and provide the hospital with a clear understanding of the situation. Make sure to reference the enclosed documents in your letter and briefly explain their relevance to your complaint.
However, if you do not have any supporting documents, it is still essential to provide a detailed and accurate account of the incident or issue in your letter. Your personal experiences and specific details can be sufficient to convey the nature of your complaint.
Interesting Finds
Patient’s Name
Patient’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone number
Date
Name of Contact Person
Name of Hospital
Hospital Address
City, State, Zip Code
Re: Service provided in emergency room
Dear Mr/Ms Name of Person,
On March 25th this year, I entered your emergency room for treatment of a painful arm. I waited for two hours while in excruciating pain before being admitted into the examining room where I was seen by Doctor Name and Nurse Name. An X-ray was taken, and I was told there was no serious problem and was given some pain killers.
Since the pain did not subside after two days, I went to Name of other Hospital, where an X-ray was taken that showed my arm was fractured.
Since I suffered unnecessarily, I would like to know that the doctor and nurse who attended to me in your hospital have been reprimanded for this negligence. Enclosed are copies of the documents from the second hospital.
I know the emergency room was very crowded, but when I finally saw a doctor, I expected an accurate diagnosis.
Kindly let me know what, if any, action will be taken in this case. I am home every day and can be reached at 555 123 4567 or name@email.com.
Sincerely,
Patient’s signature
Patient’s name
List of enclosures
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: A Complaint Letter to a Hospital is a formal written document that expresses dissatisfaction or concern regarding the services, treatment, or experiences received at a hospital. It is a way for patients or their representatives to address any issues they have encountered during their stay or interaction with the hospital staff.
Q: How should one address the recipient in a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: When addressing the recipient in a Complaint Letter to a Hospital, it is best to use a formal salutation. If you know the name of the specific individual you are addressing, you can use their name directly. For example, you can start with "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]." This shows that you have taken the effort to address your concerns to the appropriate person.
If you are not sure about the specific individual's name or if you are writing a more general complaint, you can use a more generic salutation such as "Dear Hospital Administrator" or "To Whom It May Concern." While these salutations are less personalized, they are still considered appropriate for formal communication.
Q: How soon should one send a Complaint Letter to a Hospital after the incident?
Answer: It is advisable to send a Complaint Letter to a Hospital as soon as possible after the incident or as soon as you become aware of the issue. Writing and sending the letter promptly ensures that the details and emotions associated with the incident are fresh in your mind. Additionally, it allows the hospital administration to address the issue promptly and take appropriate actions for resolution.
However, if you are unable to send the letter immediately due to personal circumstances or the need to gather more information, it is still acceptable to send it at a later date. Just make sure that your complaint is sent within a reasonable timeframe to ensure that the hospital has an opportunity to investigate and address your concerns effectively.
Q: Is it necessary to provide evidence or supporting documents with a Complaint Letter to a Hospital?
Answer: While it is not always necessary, providing evidence or supporting documents can strengthen your Complaint Letter to a Hospital and make your case more compelling. If you have any relevant documents, such as medical reports, invoices, or correspondence, that support your complaint, it is recommended to include copies of those documents with your letter.
Including evidence can help validate your claims and provide the hospital with a clear understanding of the situation. Make sure to reference the enclosed documents in your letter and briefly explain their relevance to your complaint.
However, if you do not have any supporting documents, it is still essential to provide a detailed and accurate account of the incident or issue in your letter. Your personal experiences and specific details can be sufficient to convey the nature of your complaint.
Interesting Finds