National Health Service Act 1977

117 Reference to Commissioner by relevant body

Notwithstanding anything in sections 111 and 112 and section 114(1) above, a relevant body—

(a) may itself (excluding its officers) refer to a Commissioner a complaint that a person has, in consequence of a failure or maladministration for which the body is responsible, sustained such injustice or hardship as is mentioned in section 115 above if the complaint—

(i) is made in writing to the relevant body by that person, or by a person authorised by virtue of section 111(2) above to make the complaint to the Commissioner on his behalf, and

(ii) is so made not later than one year from the day mentioned in section 114(1) above, or within such other period as the Commissioner considers appropriate in any particular case, but

(b) shall not be entitled to refer a complaint in pursuance of paragraph (a) after the expiry of three months beginning with the day on which the body received the complaint.

A complaint referred to a Commissioner in pursuance of this section shall, subject to section 113 above, be deemed to be duly made to him under this Part of this Act.