In Ireland, most health complaints start with the service itself. For HSE services, that means the HSE's complaints process, Your Service Your Say. If you are still unhappy, you can ask for an internal review. After that, you can go to the Ombudsman, or the Ombudsman for Children for under-18s.
Complaints about an individual doctor's fitness to practise go to the Medical Council. Nurses and midwives are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Many other health and social care professionals are regulated by CORU.
Free, independent help is available along the way. The Patient Advocacy Service supports complaints about public acute hospitals and nursing homes. Other advocacy services cover people with disabilities, people using mental health services and older people.
The Mental Health Commission regulates inpatient mental health services, but it cannot investigate complaints. Private hospitals and clinics handle their own complaints, and usually fall outside the HSE and the Ombudsman.
Everything here was checked on 2 November 2026.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, phone 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department. You can freephone Samaritans on 116 123, or text 50808 at any time.
Most problems are best raised first with the people involved. Citizens Information suggests going to the person in charge of the service, such as the ward sister in a hospital.
The Medical Council gives the same advice for doctors. It says talking to your doctor is often the quickest way to resolve a concern.
If that does not work, make a formal complaint. Put it in writing and include:
The Patient Advocacy Service suggests also giving the HSE permission to access your personal information. Without it, the HSE may not be able to process the complaint properly.
Your Service Your Say is the HSE's process for comments, compliments and complaints. It has four stages:
How to contact Your Service Your Say: freephone 1800 424 555, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You can also email yoursay@hse.ie. The postal address is HSE Your Service Your Say, Oak House, Limetree Avenue, Millennium Park, Naas, County Kildare, W91 KDC2.
Time limit. Citizens Information says you must complain within 12 months of the event, or of becoming aware of it. A complaints officer can extend this in special circumstances.
Complaining for someone else. A close relative, carer, legal representative or anyone with the person's consent can complain on their behalf. A close relative or carer can also complain on behalf of someone who has died.
What it does not cover. Citizens Information says you cannot use the HSE process to complain about a clinical judgement. That means a medical decision made by someone acting for the HSE. It also excludes matters that are or have been before a court.
Some services that get HSE funding are not part of the HSE. The HSE lists GPs, dentists, private nursing homes, voluntary hospitals and day services as examples. Contact these services directly and ask about their own complaints policy.
The Patient Advocacy Service (PAS) is free, independent and confidential. It is funded by the Department of Health and is independent of the HSE and all providers. It supports people making a formal complaint about:
It can also support you after a patient safety incident.
A PAS advocate can explain the complaints process, help you write your complaint and help you weigh up your options after a response. An advocate will not tell you what to choose.
PAS's remit is limited to public acute hospitals and nursing homes. For community mental health services or a GP, use the other routes in the list.
Contact: 0818 293 003, info@patientadvocacyservice.ie, or the contact form on patientadvocacyservice.ie.
The Office of the Ombudsman is free and independent. It examines complaints about the HSE and about charities and voluntary bodies that deliver services for the HSE. It also covers public and private nursing homes. Complaints can include delays and failures to act.
Before you go to the Ombudsman, you should normally:
The Ombudsman cannot usually look at a complaint made more than 12 months after the event, unless there are very special circumstances. It cannot examine clinical judgements, such as a diagnosis or a treatment decision. It does not cover private hospitals or private practitioners.
For a patient under 18, complain to the Ombudsman for Children. Children can complain themselves, and adults can complain on a child's behalf.
This is the gap many people fall into. Neither the HSE complaints process nor the Ombudsman can examine clinical judgement. Your options include:
The Medical Council regulates doctors in Ireland. It looks into complaints about a registered doctor's conduct, performance or health. It acts where a complaint raises concerns about the doctor's fitness to practise.
Since 6 May 2025, new complaints follow a revised process under the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020. You can email complaints@mcirl.ie or use the online form. The chief executive reviews it first. In most cases, an authorised officer then investigates, and a committee decides whether further action is needed.
The Medical Council says most complaints are closed at the first stage without further action. Examples include complaints about fees, or about waiting times in non-urgent cases.
It cannot:
You can check a doctor's registration on the Medical Council's online register. The registration number is often on letters, referrals and prescriptions.
For nurses and midwives, complain to NMBI. For social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists and some other professions, complain to CORU.
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) is an independent body set up under the Mental Health Act 2001. It registers and inspects inpatient mental health units, known as approved centres.
It cannot investigate complaints. The MHC says the law does not give it that power. Make your complaint to the service. Every approved centre must have a complaints procedure. For HSE community mental health services, use Your Service Your Say.
It can take concerns. If you are worried about the health, wellbeing or safety of someone using a mental health service, email concerns@mhcirl.ie. The MHC may ask the service for information, report the concern to the Gardaí or Tusla, or use it in an inspection.
If someone is detained. Everyone admitted involuntarily has their detention reviewed by an independent mental health tribunal within 21 days. The MHC appoints a legal representative for each detained patient.
Change is coming. On 2 November 2026, the MHC said the Mental Health Act 2026 will extend its regulation. Community mental health services, including CAMHS, will be covered for the first time once the Act commences. The MHC did not say this will give it power to investigate complaints.
An advocate helps make sure your views are heard. They can help with letters, calls and meetings. These services are free.
Private providers, other than nursing homes, are usually outside the HSE and the Ombudsman. Complain to the provider and, for a doctor, the Medical Council. Before you book, our adult ADHD assessment guide lists questions to ask any provider. Our article on the adult ADHD wait in Ireland explains why to check who signs your report. The same checks apply to adult autism assessments.
Can I complain about a waiting list delay?
Yes, through Your Service Your Say. If you are not satisfied, the Ombudsman can examine delays by public services. The Medical Council typically closes complaints about waiting times in non-urgent cases.
Can the Patient Advocacy Service help with a complaint about a community mental health team?
PAS's remit is public acute hospitals and nursing homes. For a community mental health team, use Your Service Your Say. Peer Advocacy in Mental Health or Citizens Information can support you.
Can someone make a complaint for me?
Yes. A close relative, carer, legal representative, or anyone with your consent can complain on your behalf. An independent advocate can also support you through the process.
You can read about Proco's planned assessment service on our assessments page.
This article is general information about health complaints in Ireland. It is not legal or medical advice. For your own situation, contact Citizens Information on 0818 07 4000, or speak to a solicitor.
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026