Complaints

Patient Advice and Support Service

The Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) is an independent service which provides free information, advice and support to patients, their carers and families in their dealings with the NHS.

The service:

• provides information, advice and support for anyone who wants to give feedback, make comments, raise concerns or make a complaint about treatment and care provided by the NHS in Scotland
• help people to understand their rights and responsibilities as a patient

Tel: 0800 917 2127

Email:  pass@cas.org.uk

Speak to them in person at any Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau: www.cas.org.uk/pass

Equality

Advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality, discrimination and human rights.

Freephone telephone: 0808 800 0082

Website:  www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is an independent body and their service is free.

hey can help with unresolved disputes between consumers and lawyers.

Website:  www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk/

Tel: 0131 201 2130

Email: enquiries@scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk

Address:  Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG

Financial Services Ombudsman

The Financial Ombudsman Service is a free service that settles complaints between consumers and businesses that provide financial services.

Website:  www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers

Email:  complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Tel:  0800 023 4567

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest.

If you’ve had a problem accessing your personal information or have a concern about the way an organisation is handling your personal information they may be able to help you do something about it.

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Email: Scotland@ico.org.uk

Tel: 0303 123 1115

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Scotland form Scotland’s largest independent advice network. Some bureaux have in-court advisors and lay representatives – find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.cas.org.uk/bureaux.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is an accredited agency for referrals to the Free Legal Services Unit of the Faculty of Advocates (see below).

Faculty of Advocates – Free Legal Services Unit

The Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) was established to provide free legal advice and representation by volunteer advocates for those who cannot afford the legal help they need, and who cannot obtain assistance from any other source.

If you are interested in accessing help from the FLSU you will need to consult an accredited agency and meet certain criteria.

Free Legal Services Units which can be accessed through accredited agencies.

Current accredited advice agencies can be found at www.advocates.org.uk/instructing-advocates/free-legal-services-unit

The University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC)

The Free Legal Advice Centre delivers pro bono legal services to members of the public living in and around the Edinburgh area who, for whatever reason, cannot access legal advice elsewhere. Student advisers, members of staff and qualified solicitors work together to offer advice on legal problems.

FLAC can provide advice and assistance on the following: company and commerical,  contract, disputes, employment, family, property, intellectual property, landlord and tenant, wills and inheritance and personal injury.

Telephone: 0800 073 0150

Email: freelegaladvice@ed.ac.uk

Website: www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/free-legal-advice-centre

University Law Clinics

Law Clinics can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation to members of the public.  Contact your local clinic if you feel you have a problem they could help you with. The law clinics operating in Aberdeen at present are:

Aberdeen Law Project

Website: abdnlawproject.com

Tel: 01224 272 434

Email: general@abdlawproject.com

Robert Gordon University

Website: www.rgu.ac.uk/life-at-rgu/learning-facilities/law-facilities/the-law-clinic

Tel: 01224 262 394

Email: thelawclinic@rgu.ac.uk

Please note that law clinics do not advise in all areas of law, with normal exclusions being family law and criminal law. Please also note that the relevant law clinic may not be able to assist you, particularly if you earn over a certain threshold amount or if there is a more appropriate alternative provider who can assist you, which would normally be the case if you are eligible for legal aid.