Complaints Policy

STEPHANIE DURHAM LTD trading as DURHAM FAMILY DENTAL is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 08526952, whose registered address is at 677 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE9 5HB, United Kingdom, hereinafter referred to as ‘OOP’ or ‘We’ or ‘Us’ views complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve for the future, as well as a chance to put things right for the person or organisation that has made the complaint.

 

Website: www.durhamfamilydenatal.co.uk

​

Our policy is:
• To provide a fair complaints procedure which is clear and easy to use for anyone wishing to make a complaint;
• To publicise the existence of our complaints procedure so that people know how to contact us to make a complaint;
• To make sure everyone at Durham Family Dental knows what to do if a complaint is received;
• To make sure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way;
• To make sure that complaints are, wherever possible, resolved and that relationships are repaired;
• To gather information which helps us to improve what we do

 

Definition of a Complaint

A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about any aspect of Durham Family Dental.

 

Where Complaints Come From
 

Complaints may come from users of the Durham Family Dental Services

​

A complaint can be received:
1. verbally by phone by calling (0191) 487 6263;
2. by email to hello@durhamfamilydental.co.uk or,
3. in writing to Durham Family Dental at 677 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE9 5HB

​

We will do our utmost to resolve any issue you may have.

 

This policy does not cover complaints from staff, who should use Durham Family Dental Disciplinary Policy and Grievance Policy.

​

Complaint Acknowledgement & Response

We will send you a written or emailed acknowledgment of a complaint within 3 business days.

Within 20 days of receiving a complaint We will send you either:

– a final response which adequately addresses the complaint; or
– a response which: explains why We are still not in a position to make a final response, giving reasons for the delay and which indicates when We expect to be able to provide a final response followed by.

 

If You are not satisfied with our response, or a complaint is not resolved after eight weeks, You may refer the complaint.

We reserve the right to decline to consider a complaint that is made more than 12 months after You become aware of the cause of the complaint. There may be instances where We will waive this requirement at our discretion. We will confirm to You in writing if a complaint has been made outside the time limit that We are prepared to consider.

​

Confidentiality

All complaint information will be handled sensitively, telling only those who need to know and following any relevant data protection requirements.

​

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation lies with Stephanie Durham – Durham Family Dental

Review

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required.

Updated on 15 May 2023