Medical complaint — Consejería de Sanidad · Spain

Direct answer

Start with the complaints officer of the hospital or practice — every provider must have one, and most issues are resolved there with an explanation or apology. If not, Consejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / Inspección (sanidad.gob.es) is the independent body for patient complaints in Spain: free, and it can investigate. Concerns about a doctor's fitness to practise go to Colegio Oficial de Médicos (cgcom.es). For compensation after a treatment error, Reclamación patrimonial / seguro del centro or a lawyer — and ask for your full medical file first, which you are entitled to.

Call firstConsejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / Inspección

Report toColegio Oficial de Médicos

If that failsReclamación patrimonial / seguro del centro

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] I was treated at [provider] by [name]. I want to make a formal complaint about [what happened]. I request a written response, and a copy of my complete medical file."

🪜 Step by step

Ask for your fileYou have the right to a copy of your records. Get it before anything else; it is the evidence.
Complaints officer firstIn writing, with dates and names. A response within a set time is mandatory.
Not resolved: Consejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / InspecciónThe patient ombudsman or complaints commission investigates independently and free of charge.
Professional conduct: Colegio Oficial de MédicosThe medical council or disciplinary board deals with the doctor's conduct, not with your compensation.
Compensation: Reclamación patrimonial / seguro del centroLiability claims run through the provider's insurer or a compensation scheme; deadlines apply from the moment you knew of the harm.

📇 All contacts

Consejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / InspecciónIndependent complaint within your region's health serviceWhen the patient service does not resolve it🔗 www.sanidad.gob.es/organizacion/ccaa/directorio/home.htm

Colegio Oficial de MédicosEthics committee, doctor's conductFor conduct against the professional code🔗 www.cgcom.es

Reclamación patrimonial / seguro del centroCompensation for medical harm: the administration (public) or the insurer (private)Within a year of knowing about the harm🔗 www.sanidad.gob.es

❓ Frequently asked

Can I switch doctor during the complaint?

Yes, at any time. The complaint does not affect your right to care.

Is there a deadline?

Complaints: usually none, but sooner is stronger. Compensation claims: often 3–5 years from discovery. Ask Consejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / Inspección.

They say the file is "internal"

It is not. Your medical records are yours to read and copy; refusal is itself a complaint for Consejería de Sanidad — Defensor del Paciente / Inspección.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“complaint about doctor Spain”
“patient ombudsman Spain”
“hospital complaint procedure”
“medical error compensation Spain”
“get my medical records”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Spain

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · SpainElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Spain, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

🏥 I have a complaint about a doctor or hospital — who do I go to?