When a complaint or claim is referred to the mediator by the Chief Medical Officer of the Armed Forces Hospital or by the complainant, the mediator will meet with the complainant. Unless refused or impossible, the meeting will take place within eight days of the referral. If the complaint or claim is made by an inpatient, the meeting must take place, as far as possible, before the patient is discharged from the hospital. The mediator may meet the patient’s relatives if he/she considers it useful or at their request.