If you are concerned about your care — Canterbury
Being in hospital can be a worrying time. If you or your whānau (family) have any questions or concerns, start by talking with the nurse in charge. You also have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of services provided.
Who to talk to
If talking to the nurse or person in charge of your ward has not solved your issue, there are other options.
Kōrero mai process
If you are concerned you or a patient is getting sicker, use the Kōrero mai (talk to me) process.
Customer services manager
- Ashburton, Chatham Islands, Darfield, Ellesmere, Kaikōura, Oxford, Tūārangi and Waikari Hospitals: 03 307 8450
- Burwood Hospital: 03 383 9488
- Canterbury Health Laboratories: 03 364 1920
- Christchurch Hospital: 03 364 0843
- Christchurch Women's Hospital: 03 364 4556
- Mental Health Services: 03 339 1160
- Older Persons Health Service: 03 383 9488
Send us written feedback
You can send us feedback, complaints or compliments using our online form.
[LINK]Canterbury feedback form
Patient Advocacy Service
The patient advocate service is independent of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. It is a free service and provides:
- information on health and disability consumer rights
- assistance to answer questions and resolve difficulties
- help if you want to make a complaint.
Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service (external link)
Phone: 0800 555 050
Christchurch office phone: 03 377 7501
Health and Disability Commissioner's Office
You can go directly to the Health and Disability Commissioner's Office with your concerns.
Personal or financial problems
A hospital social worker may be able to help if you or your relatives have:
- a personal or domestic problem
- a financial problem
- issues relating to your hospital stay or discharge.
Making a complaint
Complaints provide us with an opportunity to review and improve our services.
[LINK] Make a complaint
We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days of receiving it.
We try to investigate your complaint within 20 working days from the date of acknowledgement. We will tell you if this will take longer and the reasons why.