MORE than half of people wanting to complain about health services in Lancashire claimed it was hard to lodge a grievance or they remained unhappy with the response.

And 52 per cent of those surveyed by Healthwatch Lancashire felt put off by the complaints procedures adopted by county NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups.

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This is regarded as an even greater issue among those with mental health concerns, dealt with by the likes of Lancashire Care and Mersey Care, who described how they did not feel supported through the complaints process.

Fifty-five per cent of those asked found it difficult to make a complaint, according to Healthwatch, with a similar proportion complaining of poor communication when it came to getting answers.

Sheralee Turner-Birchall, Healthwatch’s chief officer, said: “The findings have been shared with those who plan, run and regulate health and social care services within Lancashire including NHS England, clinical commissioning groups, Lancashire County Council and the Care Quality Commission.”

Those who decided against raising an issue chiefly felt concerned about repercussions or were unsure regarding who they should approach with their gripes, a report from Healthwatch has concluded.

One respondent said: “I told my midwife five days after, as this was the first time I saw my regular midwife, who I felt comfortable with, and she gave me a feedback form and then I sent it away and didn’t hear anything back.”