Making complaints

Finally, I got round to writing and sending off my "constructive feedback" to the hospital complaints department. I know that my experience is nothing when compared to some of the really serious issues raised by patients, but I hope that the fact that I've made the effort to feedback about my concerns re patient dignity and the importance of treating us as people with feelings rather than a collection of body parts and symptoms in need of treatment may at least make the recipients think.

I also hope that raising my concerns may prevent other patients being treated with the lack of dignity and respect afforded to me, and that information given in confidence will not again be passed from hospital to local doctors' practice without express permission being obtained.

As my mother used to say, politeness and courtesy cost nothing.