FAQ

What do we offer?

  • Independent support and advice for medical and social care teams, families and patients to help them resolve disagreements about care and treatment
  • Mediation as an alternative to going to court
  • Training in managing and resolving conflict for health and social care professionals, patients and families

Who are we?

We are accredited mediators with many years experience of working with health and social care professionals, patients and their families. Some of us also have post-graduate qualifications in medical law and ethics. Our panel of advisors includes a parent with experience of caring for a child with a life-limiting illness, consultants in paediatric palliative care and childhood cancer and a clinical ethicist. We also make every effort to seek the views of children and young people who have personal experience of chronic or life limiting illness.

What is Medical Mediation?

Medical Mediation offers an alternative way of resolving medical conflicts. The basis of mediation is that it is confidential and voluntary. As mediators we do not take sides. We are there as supportive listeners. We provide a safe environment for all sides to speak without being judged.

The only circumstance in which the mediator will pass on what is said in mediation is if they believe there is a significant risk of harm to a person or if either side is breaking the law.

How can mediation help?

Early on

We can offer facilitated discussion between the parties involved – talking to each party separately to try and understand what’s causing the disagreement and then, if appropriate, bringing them together to see if a resolution can be reached. Helping the parties to understand each other and providing everyone with an opportunity to be heard at an early stage, can prevent the disagreement escalating.

Later

If the dispute has already escalated we can provide more formal mediation to see if it can be resolved without recourse to the courts.

Eleventh Hour

If legal action has begun, mediation may remain an option if all parties wish it and the court agrees.

Are you really independent?

Yes. We are not attached to any hospital or institution.

Do you have a Code of Conduct?

Yes. Any mediator provided by The Medical Mediation Foundation will adhere to a strict Code of Conduct which has been written to take account of the particular circumstances involved in working in specialist medical settings.

Do you have a Complaints Policy?

Yes. Complaints about a mediator provided by The Medical Mediation Foundation or about any aspect of the mediation itself should be addressed in the first instance to: The Directors, The Medical Mediation Foundation, 1101 Lessing Building, London NW6 2BF or emailed to admin@medicalmediation.org.uk. In either case, the complaint will be acknowledged by email, in writing or by telephone (as requested) within 5 working days of receipt. We will make every endeavour to investigate and respond to the complaint in writing within 21 days. There may be occasions where further time is required, in which case we will notify you of this in writing.

How do I make a complaint?

Complaints about a mediator provided by The Medical Mediation Foundation or about any aspect of the mediation itself should be addressed in the first instance to: The Directors, The Medical Mediation Foundation, 1101 Lessing Building, London NW6 2BF or emailed to admin@medicalmediation.org.uk. You can also contact Sarah Barclay, Director of The Medical Mediation Foundation by telephone: 07802 783184.

How will you investigate my complaint?

The investigation will be carried out by somebody other than the mediator the complaint relates to. We will keep written records of any complaints received.

What happens if I am not happy with the response to my complaint?

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint at that stage you may refer the matter to the Civil Mediation Council, of which MMF is a member.

This must be done within one month of conclusion of consideration of the complaint by the mediator or provider and in any event within 6 months of the events giving rise to the complaint. Complaints received outside these time limits will only be accepted at the discretion of the CMC.

All complaints must be in writing and addressed to the CMC Secretariat at secretariat@civilmediation.org. On receipt of your email the Secretariat will send you a complaint form to be completed and returned.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Please note that training courses which have been booked and confirmed are subject to the following cancellation charges:

If you cancel at least 28 working days prior to the start of the course you will be charged a 10% administration fee plus VAT.
If you cancel between 28 and 10 working days prior to the course date you will be charged 30% of the cost of the training plus VAT
If you cancel less than 10 working days before the event you will be charged 50% of the cost of the training plus VAT.

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