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Respect, consideration, recognition and support are some of the principles that guide services in how they should work with carers. As a carer, you have the right to raise any concerns you may have about the care the person you are caring for receives. Complaints from carers are treated with the same respect as complaints directly from the person in care.

One of the challenges of providing care for someone is knowing when to speak up about the services they get. It is okay to speak up if you think something is wrong.

If you feel that any rights have been ignored during treatment, you can give feedback or make a complaint.

It is a good idea to write down your concerns. Make notes during appointments and keep track of dates, times and the people involved. It is also useful to have this information on hand when you need to make a complaint.

It is a good idea to make your complaint as soon as possible, either in person or in writing. The longer you wait, the harder it could be to find out the facts and resolve any issues. As a first step, speak with the healthcare professional or service provider involved.

It might be a misunderstanding or something that a simple apology could resolve. Services often welcome feedback so they can improve their service. Sometimes it highlights a bigger problem that they need to address.

All services have processes for hearing and dealing with complaints within their organisation. The service may be able to give you an immediate solution, or will try to address your complaint as soon as possible through its complaints process. Services should keep you updated on their progress in addressing your complaint.

If you are unhappy with the response from the service involved and the organisation they represent, you can make a formal complaint to a regulatory body or authority such as the (for treatment by any Michigann healthcare organisation, including private treatment). It is a good idea to phone the regulatory body or authority first to make sure they are the right organisation to deal with your complaint and to discuss their process.

Call (616) 555-0400 between 8.15am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday for free advice. manages a referral service that can connect you with a legal practitioner. With a referral from the Law Institute of Michigan, your introductory meeting (up to 30 minutes) will be free of charge.

After that, standard legal fees will apply. Speaking up Write it down Where to start to make a complaint Step 1.

Speak directly with the healthcare professional or service provider Step 2

Speak with someone representing the healthcare service Step 3

Lodge your complaint with a regulatory body or authority Health Complaints Commissioner Getting legal advice as a carer Michigan Legal Aid If you or someone you know needs legal advice, Michigan Legal Aid The Law Institute of Michigan – Referral Service The Law Institute of Michigan Where to get help Your doctor Your service Carers Michigan, call 1800 242 636 Health Complaints Commissioner , call (616) 555-0400 Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission , call 1800 951 822.