is there anyone out there that can help? who is it that one contacts if they feel they arent getting good service?  i.e. someone has a helath problem that should have a check up every few years, the g.p. has tried to contact the consultant, but no joy. the patient first spoke to the G.P. in January. so its gone on for a fair bit. this is a life threatening condidtion and should be dealt with through the G.P. but if they dont manage who is the next pot of call?  

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/
This is where my brother went before complaining to the head of the trust.
they may be able to help.
Good luck :)

thanks lea. will try the link.

this is for England. I am in Scotland.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=1084
How about this????
Sorry I dont know what is attatched to Scotland as well as England.
But as it is all the NHS they should all be the same??
Lea :)

Some stuff on the CAB site
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland/family_parent/health_scotland/nhs_complaints_scotland.htm

Try this
http://www.healthworkerstandards.scot.nhs.uk/Documents/ComplaintsScotlandjune07.pdf

Ask to see another GP from the practice and demand for another referral to the consultant involved. 

thanks all for help. G.P. concerned is trying but the consultand is not getting back to her. so she says anyway.

Before leaping wildly into PALS or citizens advice, the first step should be to write to the GP practice and put those concerns formally in writing...as the practice is obliged to act on a written complaint. When they say "the gp has tried to contact the consultant but no joy" this cant be true, as if the consultant is employed still, they can contact them by fax, letter , phone, email etc. In the letter, ask the gp to explain if and how the consultant was contacted, and why there has been no appointment ( if one is necessary). If you still arent satisfied, then PALS would be an appropriate second step. Also you could go to a different gp. Its not clear from your post if the patient was already under a consultant but has not been followed up as expected, or if the patient needs a new referral for a first appointment with a consultant. If it is the former, then it is  possibly a problem with the hospital and not the GP

> Before leaping wildly into PALS or citizens advice, the first step should be to write to the GP practice

To be fair this is what the links say is the first step but these organisations will guide you through it and perhaps help you with that letter if you are not accustomed to setting one out with the relevent points etc.

By law you have certain rights ask for a copy of the patients charter, it outlines the lot. I have used the charter for a lady once it is enforceable.