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Feedback

We are here to listen to your feedback, both positive and negative.

We aim to provide our patients with the best possible care at all times. We also welcome your feedback. This helps us continually improve our services by letting us know what works well and what might need to change, to improve the quality and safety of care provided at the South West Healthcare.

We welcome positive feedback, so we that we can share this information with our dedicated hospital staff and let them know how much patients appreciate their work.

Sometimes your experience may not meet your expectations. We encourage you to raise these concerns so that we have the opportunity to act on this feedback.

First Steps:

  • Wherever possible, we encourage you to discuss your concerns directly with the person, ward or department
  • It is often the quickest and easiest way to resolve the issue so speak treating nurse, medical team or nurse unit manager (NUM) in the first instance
  • Act quickly, Speak with someone as soon as possible so the information and recollection of your experience is clear and a resolution can be reached

If you feel your concerns have not been sufficiently addressed then we encourage you to make a complaint to the quality team.

  • Anyone can make a complaint. We accept feedback from anyone who has used our service, as well as from people not directly involved such as visitors, community care workers or professional groups. You can also make a complaint on behalf of someone else who has used the service but, as a courtesy, you should seek and obtain consent before doing so.
  • You can make a complaint anonymously if you wish. Anonymous feedback is welcome; you do not need to provide your name. However, without these details, we may be unable to adequately investigate your concerns and provide you with a response to your feedback.
  • You can register your complaint in writing by using the online form below.
  • You can write a letter addressed to the Quality Manager at South West Healthcare, email feedback@swh.net.au or you can simply phone a member of the quality team on 03 5563 4074

The quality team is staffed weekdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm. If your call is not answered, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

The quality team member is available to all patients and visitors attending the hospital. We are here to listen to your feedback and discuss any complaints or concerns you might have, no matter how big or small. We can offer you support by confidentially discussing any of your concerns, investigating these on your behalf and helping you resolve a problem. You may choose to contact the quality team while you are in hospital or when you go home.

The quality team will direct your complaint to the most appropriate person for follow up or investigation and assist in coordinating a response to your concerns.

South West Healthcare aims to provide you with a resolution to your feedback in 30 days. This time frame may vary depending on the complexity of the issues. You can always contact the team for an update on investigations.

We take complaints seriously and aim to resolve them quickly and fairly. However, If you are not satisfied with the response received from South West Healthcare, we recommend that you contact:

  • The Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent statutory authority established to receive and resolve complaints about health service providers. This is a free and confidential service.  Telephone 1300 582 113.  Website https://hcc.vic.gov.au/
  • The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent, specialist body under the Mental Health Act 2014 (the Act) to safeguard rights, resolve complaints about Victorian public mental health services and recommend improvements.  Telephone 1800 246 054.  Website https://www.mhcc.vic.gov.au/
  • The Disability Services Commissioner is an independent oversight body resolving complaints and promoting the right of people with a disability to be free from abuse. Telephone 1800 677 342.  Website https://odsc.vic.gov.au/
  • The Aged Care Commission is an independent authority that works to protect and improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of people receiving Australian funded aged care. https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/making-complaint

Page last updated: 21 February 2024

We value feedback from patients, consumers, family members and carers.