North East NHS ICA employs fully qualified advocates who offer free, impartial, confidential and independent advocacy support to members of the public.
We currently operate in Darlington, Durham, North Tyneside and Stockton on Tees. We are a service for you and led by you and funded independently of the NHS.
How we can help
• Provide free information on the NHS complaints process
• Your issues/concerns/complaint in detail
• Explore the outcomes you can achieve through the NHS complaints route
• What advocacy support you require
• Provide information on other routes you may wish to explore
• Draft a letter of complaint for/with you
• Involve an interpreter and/or translator if you need one
• Attend meetings with you
• Assist with a referral to the PHSO
Areas outside our Advocacy role where we cannot help:
- Investigate complaints
- Give medical or legal advice
- Assist with any claims for clinical negligence
- Assist with complaints about private medical care
- Be involved in disciplinary action against a member of NHS staff
- Remove a practitioner from their professional register
How we support deaf clients
Carer Feedback
“Going against the NHS can be quite daunting so it’s nice to be supported all the way through. Grateful for advocates support, especially during the meeting”
“I was able to express my own thoughts and feelings, and advocate portrayed that well. If I have concerns or questions, advocate will always get back to me within 2-3 days, which was brilliant. Great service will always come back if more NHS issues”