How to Deal with a Complaint or Investigation

How to Deal with a Complaint or Investigation is a CPD-accredited online course designed for healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom. The course supports doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals in understanding how to respond professionally, calmly, and effectively when faced with a complaint, regulatory inquiry, or fitness-to-practise investigation.

It is particularly relevant for professionals currently under scrutiny, as well as those seeking to prepare proactively and protect their professional standing.

Complaints and investigations are an increasingly common part of modern healthcare practice and can be highly stressful, confusing, and career-defining. How a healthcare professional responds — in terms of honesty, professionalism, insight, and cooperation — can significantly influence outcomes.

UK healthcare regulators expect professionals to respond promptly, openly, and reflectively, while maintaining patient safety and public trust. This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating complaints and investigations confidently, reducing risk, and demonstrating professionalism throughout the process.

This course is suitable for UK-based healthcare professionals, including:

• Doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals
• Professionals working in the National Health Service and the independent sector
• Registrants regulated by bodies such as the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, and others
• Practitioners facing complaints, inquiries, investigations, or fitness-to-practise proceedings
• Healthcare professionals seeking CPD evidence for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, or regulatory submissions

The course explores:

• Common causes of complaints and investigations in healthcare
• The role of healthcare regulators and their standards
• Differences between complaints, inquiries, and fitness-to-practise processes
• How to respond professionally when a complaint is raised
• Managing regulatory investigations and hearings
• Honesty, transparency, accountability, and duty of candour
• Cooperating with regulators and providing clear, accurate information
• Demonstrating insight, reflection, and remediation
• Preparing reflective statements and evidence for regulators
• Managing stress, emotional impact, and professional confidence
• Seeking appropriate support during complaints and investigations

On successful completion of this course, participants will receive:

• CPD UK certified accreditation
• An accredited CPD certificate
• CPD evidence suitable for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, reflective portfolios, and professional development records

This course is aligned with guidance and expectations issued by UK healthcare regulators, including the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, and Health and Care Professions Council.

It supports healthcare professionals in demonstrating professionalism, insight, accountability, and fitness to practise — particularly when responding to complaints or regulatory scrutiny.

This online course is relevant to healthcare professionals working across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, in both National Health Service and independent healthcare settings.