PATIENTS branded nuisance complainers by hospital bosses will be able to appeal against the label from April.

As we reported last month, Andrew Brown and Ron Grainger both had grievances about standards of care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and were told they were now classed as “vexatious” complainants in almost identical letters sent out in January.

A vexatious complainant is, according to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s complaints policy, someone who is “clearly becoming a nuisance”.

They can be someone who invokes the MP or secretary of state, the wording of which concerned the MP for Worcester, Robin Walker, who has written to the trust about the issue. He is concerned that it would affect people’s ability to discuss legitimate problems.

Mr Brown, aged 48, of Worcester, complained that he was examined using a nasal endoscope without use of a local anaesthetic last November, but also had an earlier complaint about cardiology.

Mr Brown, who objected to the label which he called a derogatory status, submitted a freedom of information request to find out if someone given vexatious status could have it overturned.

He said: “We knew the policy was being reviewed but interestingly they appear to concede the outcome will include a provision to challenge vexatious status in future. It is positive that the policy is to change.”

Harry Turner, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and Penny Venables, the trust’s chief executive, wrote in response to the FOI request.

They said: “The current policy does not have provisions for this.

“However, it is under review and such provisions will be included in the new policy due to be implemented in the new financial year (2012/13).

“Vexatious complainant status is only applied in very rare circumstances and even then with due consideration and support of the board after it becomes clear that the complaints cannot be resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction.

“For example, in such instances, it is common for the complainant to raise a complaint every time they come into contact with the organisation.

“Also typical of such complaints is the prolonged length of time, some ranging over an eight-year period.”

Mr Grainger, aged 59, of Cherry Orchard, Holt Heath, near Worcester, had a series of grievances about the care and discharge arrangements for his elderly, bedridden mother, 90-year-old Lilian.

He said: “To call me a vexatious complainant is bordering on slander and libel. We are genuine complainants.

“They can’t go on saying things like that about people. Why should I need to apply to have the vexatious status lifted?”