14. What if I want to make sure that the same mistake is not made again?

Whether or not you want to claim compensation, there are steps you can take if you want to make sure that the same mistake is not made again. You may be mainly concerned about:

• a doctor or other healthcare professional involved in your treatment; or
• the clinic or other organisation where you were treated.

See 'Contact a professional organisation' if you want to complain about a doctor or other healthcare professional.

If you are concerned about a clinic or an organisation, you can complain to one of the bodies responsible for improving the quality of care.

• If the organisation is in England, contact the Healthcare Commission.
• If the organisation is in Wales and is an NHS organisation, contact the Healthcare Inspectorate for Wales.
• If the organisation is in Wales and is a private or voluntary one, contact the Care Standards Inspectorate.

Another body, the National Patient Safety Agency, collects information on medical accidents through confidential reporting system so that future accidents can be prevented.  However, it does not investigate individual complaints.

See 'Further help' for details of these organisations.