Right to Respond

As part of our commitment to providing an honest and transparent view of health and social care services, Healthwatch Birmingham encourages providers to respond to comments the public have left.

Alongside ensuring providers can have a fair say in discussions about their services, replying to reviews demonstrates evidence of responding to patient feedback for the CQC, who regularly monitor our Feedback Centre. It is also an effective way to recruit service users for any wider engagement work at your organisation.

Guidelines for provider responses:

  • Keep language appropriate and civil
  • Remain professional and treat people’s comments fairly
  • Engage with the content of the review by addressing specific points and avoid cut and pasting a standard response
  • Don’t disclose the service user’s personal details or any potentially identifying information
  • Where appropriate leave organisational contact details e.g PALS or patient engagement teams for people to get further information

Remember: your response will be seen by everyone who uses the Feedback Centre, not just the original reviewer. All responses are moderated in accordance with our moderation policy.

For full terms and conditions, including a guide to how right to reply works for service providers download this guide.

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Original feedback for

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust - Trust HQ


Dropped from psychiatry after 9 months

I was seeing a Dr at Longbridge, he was a very good doctor. I phoned and asked for a letter for a PIP assessment and was told he had left, and more doctors were coming soon. In that time, I really went downhill but there is no point calling duty for help, they can't help you, and if you aren't actively suicidal there's nothing they can do anyway. I stopped leaving the house as much, not going out to food shop, I don't have the energy to make food and watching tv brings no enjoyment, just background noise. I am waiting for talking therapy too, that has been 8 months so far. I phoned the service to ask when I would get a doctors appointment as I know I should get a physical health check with the medication too. She just said 'you aren't down for an appointment'. So I am supposed to see a psychiatrist every 3 months and haven't been seen for what is coming up to a year. I could be dead and no-one would know