The Ombudsman has informed the Department for Communities that she is launching an investigation into the way the Department administers Personal Independence Payments (PIPs). The decision follows an ‘own initiative’ investigation proposal sent to the Department earlier this year.
As part of our research into complaints handling in the public sector, we are hosting an event in Parliament Buildings on 25 June. The aim of the event is to explore the experience of complaining through an equalities and human rights lens.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has apologized to a patient who was forced to arrange her own care package after being discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
Our newly published Case Digest provides summaries of a number of recent complaints received by the Office. It reflects the varied nature of the cases we deal with and the range of outcomes which can follow either an initial assessment or a full investigation. We hope you find it of interest.
Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman Marie Anderson and Irish Ombudsman Peter Tyndall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide for ongoing co-operation on complaints about North-South Implementation Bodies. The MoU will ensure that users of the services of these bodies, both north and south of the border, will be able to have complaints investigated efficiently by the appropriate independent Ombudsman.
An investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman has found that Mid & East Antrim Borough Council dealt properly with a planning application for a house extension, despite objections from the applicant’s neighbours.
An investigation has concluded that the care plans drawn up for a resident in a nursing home in Armagh were largely adequate, but that the home had underestimated the resident’s risk of a fall and that it was inconsistent in its assessment of his mental state.
The Ombudsman has found that a planning officer dealing with a man’s application considered the appropriate policies and took a planning consultant’s views into account before making her decision.
The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman has informed the Department for Communities that she is proposing, under new powers, to launch an investigation into the way the Department administers Personal Independence Payments (PIPs). The welfare benefit replaced Disability Living Allowance in June 2016.
