The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Concerns & Complaints Officer

The closing date is 18 August 2025

Job summary

Contract type: Fixed term/secondment for 12months.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic person who is committed to improving the quality of service we deliver. As a PALS & Complaints Officer, your role is to provide a high standard of customer service and support in delivering a responsive and accessible PALS and complaints service for our service users.

The successful candidate will be a strong team player, well organised with a proven ability to identify critical issues with regards to concern and complaints as well as have an empathetic manner. Direct experience of NHS complaints handling is essential. An understanding and experience of working with cancer patients will also be an advantage.The Trust is located on two sites and although this post is based at Chelsea, we are looking to appoint an individual who is willing to work across both sites as necessary. For further information please contact Louise Knight, Complaints, PALS, Bereavement & Patient Information Manager via louise.knight@rmh.nhs.uk or on 020 8661 3918

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

o Proactively work as part of a team, handling concerns and complaints locally from receipt to resolution within specified timeframeso Liaise with complainantso Ensure complaints are fully investigated and responded to and, where necessary, draft/redraft response letterso Update and analyse the database (Datix) to identify trends and issueso Provide regular, detailed qualitative and quantitative reportso Liaise with staff at all levels within the Trust, and with external groupso Take a major role in training Trust staff on dealing with concerns and complaintso Liaise with the office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)o Assist in the processes that ensure the department and the Trust achieve statutory standards such as Care Quality Commission.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-OD709

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

Handling and processing of concerns and complaints, including complex cases Taking a written note of concerns and complaints received by telephone Dealing with complainants in a polite, sympathetic and empathetic way, giving reassurances that all enquiries will be handled in confidence Handling and dealing with contentious issues that may arise from handling some complaints Use own judgement to handle conflicting information that may arise during complaints investigation meetings Monitoring and ensuring the timely progress of concerns and complaints Ensuring all complaint responses are sent within set timeframes including and providing holding/agreeing extensions, where appropriate

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

Handling and processing of concerns and complaints, including complex cases Taking a written note of concerns and complaints received by telephone Dealing with complainants in a polite, sympathetic and empathetic way, giving reassurances that all enquiries will be handled in confidence Handling and dealing with contentious issues that may arise from handling some complaints Use own judgement to handle conflicting information that may arise during complaints investigation meetings Monitoring and ensuring the timely progress of concerns and complaints Ensuring all complaint responses are sent within set timeframes including and providing holding/agreeing extensions, where appropriate

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of complaints investigation, confidentiality and consent procedures in the context of clinical governance in the NHS
  • Ability to communicate complex and/or contentious information clearly

Education

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

  • An understanding of the NHS policy/modernization agenda
  • Knowledge of cancer services
  • Healthcare and/or relevant professional qualification
  • Communication skills training

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a clinical or other pressurised service delivery environment
  • Experience of producing written material (including response letters, reports and presentations) to a high standard
  • Demonstrable experience of handling NHS complaints

Desirable

  • Experience of working at a corporate level in a similar organisation
  • Working experience of clinical risk management or governance
  • Experience of chairing meetings and taking minutes
  • An understanding of Patient Safety and Risk Management systems
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of complaints investigation, confidentiality and consent procedures in the context of clinical governance in the NHS
  • Ability to communicate complex and/or contentious information clearly

Education

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

  • An understanding of the NHS policy/modernization agenda
  • Knowledge of cancer services
  • Healthcare and/or relevant professional qualification
  • Communication skills training

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a clinical or other pressurised service delivery environment
  • Experience of producing written material (including response letters, reports and presentations) to a high standard
  • Demonstrable experience of handling NHS complaints

Desirable

  • Experience of working at a corporate level in a similar organisation
  • Working experience of clinical risk management or governance
  • Experience of chairing meetings and taking minutes
  • An understanding of Patient Safety and Risk Management systems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Complaints Manager

Louise Knight

Louise.Knight@rmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-OD709

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Supporting documents

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