# Log an incident or complaint (/docs/training/log-an-incident)

Anyone on the team can do this when something goes wrong or a patient complains. You can add more detail later.

## Steps [#steps]

1. In **Incidents and complaints**, press **Log an incident or complaint**.
2. Under **What happened?**, choose the closest match, such as **Complaint** or **A patient was hurt or nearly hurt**.
3. Answer any box marked **(required)**.
4. If a patient was involved, fill in **Patient initials (if a patient was involved)**. Use initials or a practice reference, never a name.
5. Check the date in **When it happened**. It starts on today.
6. Describe it in **What happened**.
7. If you took action, fill in **What you did straight away (optional)**.
8. If you see **Did any of these happen?**, choose one or choose **None of these**.
9. Press **Log incident**.

The next page gives the record's reference and, under **Here's what happens next.**, who may need to be told and by when. Press **Open the record** to add more.

## If something goes wrong [#if-something-goes-wrong]

- **Log incident is greyed out.** The **Still needed:** line tells you what is missing.
- **That looks like a name.** Replace it with initials or a practice reference.
- **Your type isn't on the list.** Press **Choose the exact type** to see them all, such as **RIDDOR report** or **Duty of candour**. **Back to the simple list** returns you.
- **You chose one of the events under Did any of these happen?** A message shows the deadline. Logging it here does not tell the CQC, so show your practice manager straight away. The next page links to **How to tell the CQC**.
- **Couldn't record this incident.** What you typed stays on the screen, so press **Log incident** again.