News

Our latest Quarterly Bulletin highlights:

- five recent investigation reports into complaints about health trusts and housing associations

- the latest on our complaints standards work

- details of an upcoming conference

- news of job opportunities at NIPSO

We recently held a roundtable event as part of our research project examining how ombudspersons can help improve access to justice for refugees and asylum seekers. 

These groups are among the most vulnerable groups in society and face multiple barriers in accessing public services and raising complaints. 

At the event Ombudsman Margaret Kelly provided an overview of NIPSO's engagement with civil society organisations and asylum seekers as we seek to make our service accessible to all.

Research lead Prof. Chris Gill from the University of Glasgow also provided an overview of the findings of a survey of members of the International Ombudsman Institute. 

Presentations were also given from Ombudsman colleagues from Serbia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark and Ireland. 

The project will conclude with a conference to be held in Belfast in March 2025. Please contact nipso@nipso.org.uk if you require further details.

You can find out more information about the project at: https://oprasproject.wordpress.com/. 

Due to the adverse weather conditions our office will be closed to visitors on Friday 24 January.

Our telephone lines and online complaints form will be operating as normal.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Our latest published reports include our findings into complaints about: 

- a primary school
- a secondary school 
- two GP practices 
- the NI Housing Executive
- four Health Trusts 

Read these reports, and search or browse for many more here.

Please note that we will be closed to the public from Tuesday 24th December 2024 to Thursday 2nd of January 2025.

If you wish to submit a complaint you can still use our online complaints form anytime.

Please note, if you intend to visit us in person during the week beginning 18 November we would ask if you could telephone us in advance on our Freephone number 0800 343424.  

This is a temporary arrangement to accommodate repair work taking place on our premises.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

The Western Trust approved two special chairs for an autistic child to use in school without properly assessing his needs. The Trust should also have given the school clearer instructions on how the chairs were to be used.

Read our full report here.

Our latest Quarterly Bulletin contains information about:

• Our Ombudsman's Report for 2023-24
• Resources on patient safety
• A new Case Digest on care homes
• Testimonials from our users
• Two investigation reports into complaints about health trusts

We will be closed to the public on Wednesday 25 September.

Our online complaints form will still be available if you wish to make a complaint.

Patient Partnership Week (2nd – 6th September) is an initiative created by the Patients Association to improve healthcare through better patient engagement. 

There is a focus during the week on shared decision making in healthcare.  Shared decision means involving patients and their families in decisions about their clinical care. 

Not only do health professional codes of conduct state that patients should be told of any risks with recommended treatment, it is also a legal requirement. 

Shared decision making enhances both quality of care and fosters more compassionate, effective healthcare. It is also vital for patient safety, because by listening to and working with patients a service is more likely to understand and meet their needs and be responsive when safety problems arise.

At the Public Services Ombudsman for Northern Ireland we receive complaints from patients (predominantly in a hospital setting) that they would have liked greater involvement in their care.  While our investigations may find that health care staff treated patients appropriately, we also find occasions in which staff have not involved and listened to patients and their families.  

You can read more about these cases here.