RESOURCES

Any person or organization can file a complaint about a facility regulated by the Licensing and Certification division of the California Department of Public Health. A complaint can be filed regarding abuse, neglect, and any other matter protected by law. These include but are not limited to: violation of a resident’s rights, poor care, lack of staffing, unsafe conditions, or mistreatment.

A complaint can be filed online, by phone, fax, or mail. For the latter three options, you must find out which district office covers the location of the facility that is the subject of your complaint. Complaints against skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities must be investigated within 60 days. Complaints involving general acute hospitals and other non-long-term care facilities must be completed within 45 days if the allegation indicates an ongoing threat of imminent danger of death, or serious bodily harm.

A complaint should include, at minimum:

• The name and address of the facility
• Your name, address, and relation to the resident (unless the complaint is being made anonymously
• The name of the resident on whose behalf the complaint is being made
• Dates and times of the incidents
• Specific complaints
• Names of witnesses and/or staff, if relevant to the complaint
• Which records should be identified, if known

The district office will notify you of the results in writing once the complaint investigation is complete

A complaint to the DPH can be filed here.

For more information on submitting a complaint to the DPH, visit the CANHR website here.