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987:. The office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman emphasises that it looks into complaints "that government departments, their agencies and some other public bodies in the UK – and the NHS in England – have not acted properly or fairly or have provided a poor service." The first UK Ombudsman was Sir Edmund Compton who had previously been the
1060:
In rare instances where the body complained about does not accept the
Ombudsman's findings, the Ombudsman may lay a report before Parliament explaining that the injustice done to the complainant has not been, or will not likely to be, remedied. In such an event, the Select Committee that oversees the
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The
Ombudsman may investigate the administrative actions of a Government department or a public authority after a Member of Parliament has referred a complaint by a member of public who claims to have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration. The Ombudsman may investigate maladministration
1011:
By law, complaints made to the
Parliamentary Ombudsman about UK Government departments and other UK public organisations must be referred by a Member of Parliament (MP). This is sometimes referred to as the 'MP filter'. The Ombudsman will only look into complaints if the organisation complained about
1083:
that he wanted a change in the law so the
Ombudsman could launch investigations without a formal complaint. He wanted it to become a complaints standards authority with regulatory powers over the NHS as is the case in Scotland. The report said the law regulating the office was outdated and out of
1047:
If the
Ombudsman finds that there has been injustice caused by maladministration or a failure in service, a remedy to put things right can be proposed. This can include an apology, a compensation payment for hardship or injustice and compensation for financial loss. Although the Ombudsman does not
1035:
The
Ombudsman possesses wide powers of investigation and is able to determine the procedure for the investigation and to obtain information from such people as required. In respect of the gathering of evidence and the examination of witnesses, the Ombudsman has the same authority as the
1012:
has been given the opportunity to put things right first. The
Ombudsman often receives enquiries which have not yet reached a stage where they can be investigated, usually because the complainant has not completed the complaints procedure of the organisation complained about.
1048:
possess the power to compel a public authority to adhere to its findings, in practice, the public authority will comply. In 2010–11, more than 99% of the individual recommendations for remedy made by the
Ombudsman were accepted by the body complained about.
1074:
In
October 2014, Julie Mellor and Local Government Ombudsman Jane Martin argued for a combined Health and Local Government watchdog, which would be able to instigate investigations as it sees fit, instead of them being triggered by patient complaints.
991:. He was succeeded by Sir Alan Marre, a career civil servant. He was the first Ombudsman appointed for the National Health Service and combined that role with that of the Parliamentary Ombudsman as have all his successors. He later became chairman of
1055:
A Eurostar train near
Ashford. In 1995, the Ombudsman investigated complaints made by residents in Kent about how the Government had administered plans for the high-speed rail-link. They alleged that uncertainty caused depreciation in property
1370:
980:, the most notable section of which is section 4 and Schedule 2, which constrain the powers of the incumbent ombudsman. Among other things, the ombudsman cannot investigate personnel and commercial actions.
158:) comprises the offices of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA) and the Health Service Commissioner for England (HSC). The Ombudsman is responsible for considering complaints by the public that
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From 19 August 2014, members of the public have been able to search the summaries of investigations that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has completed and published on their website.
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1032:
or a failure of service within the National Health Service upon receiving a complaint by anyone who claims to have suffered injustice as a result of that maladministration or service failure.
53:
1015:
Complaints about the NHS in England do not require an MP referral but both complaint processes require that the organisation complained about has had the opportunity to put things right.
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was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp and subsequently refused compensation by the Foreign Office. This decision was reversed after a report by the Ombudsman in 1968.
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The remit of the Ombudsman was extended in 1973 to cover the National Health Service. In 1996, the Ombudsman was empowered to investigate complaints about clinical judgment.
1027:
Lord Young, whose Department was criticised by the Ombudsman over its licensing of the Barlow Clowes group of companies. Barlow Clowes collapsed in 1988 owing £190 million.
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by the courts. However, it has been held that the court would not readily interfere with the exercise of the Ombudsman's discretion.
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Some issues highlighted by Liam Donaldson in 2018 following the "avoidable death" of Oliver McGowan remain to be addressed.
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Buckley ceased to be Health Service Commissioner for Scotland from 23 October 2002 following the establishment of the
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Marre served as Health Service Commissioner for England, Scotland and Wales from 1 October 1973 onwards.
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1258:"Rebecca Hilsenrath becomes interim Ombudsman | Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)"
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said in November 2018 after the publication of a favourable report into the organisation by the
1371:"Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman shines a light on complaints about public services"
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1377:(Press release). Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. 19 August 2014. Archived from
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1462:"Clinical advice review commissioned by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman"
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Millbank Tower, the current location of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
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The current Ombudsman is Rebecca Hilsenrath who has held the post since April 2024.
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work of the Ombudsman is able to examine the matter and reach its own conclusions.
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The creation of the post of the Parliamentary Ombudsman was spurred on by the 1954
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995:. The post was held by Dame Julie Mellor DBE from January 2012 until July 2016.
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in England have not acted properly or fairly or have provided a poor service.
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976:. The position was created, and his or her powers are documented in, the
1333:. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. 12 July 2011. p. 15
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The offices of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman are at
1517:"Autistic Bristol teenager Oliver McGowan's death was 'avoidable'"
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1022:
1002:
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133:
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1353:
R v Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, ex parte Dyer
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181:. The Ombudsman is independent of both the Government and the
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affair and by the activism of pressure groups, including the
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line with similar organisations in the UK and elsewhere.
195:, London, however the majority of staff are now based in
1108:
Compton did not serve as Health Service Commissioner.
1064:Reports issued by the Ombudsman are susceptible to
185:and reports annually to both Houses of Parliament.
60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1096:List of Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsmen
983:The position of HSC was created later, under the
1324:"A service for everyone - Annual Report 2010-11"
1402:"Ombudsman seeks new powers to investigate NHS"
680:National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973
1217:Rebecca Hilsenrath - 19 April 2024 - present
1040:. Defiance of these powers can be treated as
8:
1471:. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
1304:. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
1278:. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
69:"Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman"
1272:"Helping your constituents use our service"
1556:
1432:"Health ombudsman seeks regulatory powers"
152:Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
138:Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
1579:1967 establishments in the United Kingdom
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
162:departments, public authorities and the
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1584:Government agencies established in 1967
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696:Overlapping TV licences and Court Line
1185:– 4 November 2002 – 31 December 2011
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18:Health Service Commissioner for Wales
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1430:Lintern, Shaun (12 November 2018).
1228:Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
1191:Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
1166:– 1 January 1997 – 3 November 2002
1158:– 1 January 1990 – 31 December 1996
1150:– 1 January 1985 – 31 December 1989
1142:– 3 January 1979 – 31 December 1984
978:Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
647:Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
1298:"What to do before you come to us"
1238:Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
1172:Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
169:The Ombudsman is appointed by the
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1589:National Health Service (England)
1400:Lintern, Shaun (1 October 2014).
1204:– 1 January 2012 – 1 January 2017
1134:– 1 April 1976 – 31 December 1978
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1599:Ombudsmen in the United Kingdom
1119:– 1 April 1971 – 31 March 1976
1104:– 1 April 1967 – 31 March 1971
989:Comptroller and Auditor General
712:War Pensions Injustice Remedied
45:needs additional citations for
1574:1967 establishments in England
1212:– 6 April 2017 – 27 March 2024
974:Society for Individual Freedom
792:Clinical judgment within remit
1:
1460:Allan, Alex (December 2018).
1081:Republic of Ireland ombudsman
840:Report on NHS continuing care
173:on the recommendation of the
1148:Sir Anthony Barrowclough QC
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1233:Northern Ireland Ombudsman
1102:Sir Edmund Compton GCB KBE
1140:Sir Cecil Clothier KCB QC
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1491:"Oliver McGowan's Story"
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1156:Sir William Reid KCB
54:improve this article
27:UK government agency
1497:. Oliver's Campaign
1164:Sir Michael Buckley
960:Lieutenant-Colonel
595:Crichel Down affair
1609:Westminster system
1132:Sir Idwal Pugh KCB
1117:Sir Alan Marre KCB
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