News

An Ombudsman report released today has found that the significant and repeated failures to properly update patients on healthcare waiting lists in Northern Ireland  amounted to ‘systemic maladministration’, and in many cases had a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of those waiting.

A report issued today has found that the Department for Communities has implemented a number of recommendations relating to how it uses further evidence in support of Personal Independence Payments, but that it must do more to improve the system for claimants.

Please note that due to industrial action there will be a disruption to our normal service on Wednesday 26 April.

Please note that our office will be closed to the public on Friday 7th April, but we will still be taking calls and enquiries.

Our latest Bulletin provides updates on our most recent work, including our new Case Digest which contains guidance for schools on managing complaints.  It also highlights some of our recently published reports, including our investigations into complaints about health trusts, a GP practice, and a local council.

A guide to best practice for complaints handling in schools has been launched today (21/03/2023). The guide which is being issued to schools throughout Northern Ireland, will provide school leaders and Boards of Governors with an insight into the key issues which have arisen from complaints.

This Bulletin highlights some of our most recent investigation reports, including those which found serious failings in two care homes, and into complaints about the Department for the Economy and the Department for Communities.  It also provides other updates on our work.

Our Complaints Standards team are continuing to work with the local government sector in Northern Ireland to change the way they deal with complaints.

Our latest Bulletin provides an update on our work to introduce common standards for complaints handling in the public sector. We also highlight some of the investigations we have carried out over the last Quarter.

We recently conducted two online surveys in support of our Own Initiative investigation into how the Trust communicates with patients on a healthcare waiting list.