Health and social care workers are responsible for providing health or social care. This includes: GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, health care assistants, counsellors, therapists and occupational therapists.

All health and social care workers must adhere to certain standards of care, including maintaining professional boundaries and treating people with dignity and respect.

However, we know that sometimes this doesn’t happen and people receive poor quality mental health care. In some cases, this can amount to abuse.

Abuse by a health or social care worker could mean:

• psychological abuse ­
• emotional abuse
• verbal abuse
• sexual abuse
• discriminatory abuse
• physical abuse
• financial or material abuse
• neglect

If you think you have been abused by a health or social care worker, it’s important to get support and find out what your options are.

These include:

• making a complaint – see Complaining about health and social care
• reporting abuse to the police
• taking legal action

You might also find it helpful to:

• find out more about your rights and what to do next – contact an organisation such as Victim Support, Citizens Advice or Mind's Legal Line.
• seek support from an advocate – contact your local PALS office, Mind Infoline or see Advocacy in mental health for more information
• have talking treatment to deal with any difficult feelings and emotions you are experiencing – see Talking treatments for more information and Considering counselling for details of organisations that provide counselling

See also Mind’s campaign page on what to do if you’re a victim of crime.

Useful contacts

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

tel: 03000 616161  
web: cqc.org.uk     

Independent regulator for health and social care in England, where you can make complaints about care providers and workers.

Care Inspectorate Wales

tel: 0300 7900 126
web: careinspectorate.wales

Independent regulator for social care in Wales, where you can make complaints about care providers and workers.

Citizens Advice

advice lines: 03444 111 444 (England); 0344 477 2020 (Wales)
TextRelay service: 03444 111 445

citizensadvice.org.uk
online advice: adviceguide.org.uk
Confidential support and advice, including information about your legal rights.

General Medical Council (GMC)

gmc-uk.org

Regulating body for doctors in the UK, with register of doctors and complaints process.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

hpc-uk.org

Keeps a register of accredited health and social care workers.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales

tel: 0300 062 8163
web: hiw.org.uk 

Independent regulator for healthcare in Wales, where you can make complaints and provide feedback.

Healthwatch

tel: 03000 683 000
web: healthwatch.co.uk

Independent consumer champion for health and social care in England.

Mind Infoline

tel: 0300 123 3393
email: [email protected]

Free and confidential information about support and services in your area, including advocacy support.

NHS choices

web: nhs.uk

Includes search function enabling you to find PALS offices in your area.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

tel: 020 7637 7181

nmc.org.uk

Regulating body for nurses and midwives in the UK, and information about complaining.

Victim Support

supportline: 0808 1689 111 (Mon to Fri: 8pm to 8am; weekend: 24 hour service).
[email protected]
victimsupport.org.uk

Free and confidential information and support for victims and witnesses of crime, including victims of abuse.

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This information was published in November 2016.