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/. 

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.

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.

We will be closed to the public on Monday 26 August.  If you wish to make a complaint about a provider of a public service you can still do so via our online complaint form.

Our office will be open again on Tuesday 27 August, between the hours of 10.00am and 12 noon.

Our office will be closed to the public on Friday 9 August.  Our phone lines and online complaint form will be operational as normal.

We will be open again between the hours of 10.00am and noon on Monday 12 August.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We produce a Quarterly Bulletin to give readers a short update on our most recent work.

The July Bulletin highlights two reports into complaints about health trusts, and one into a complaint about a government department. It also contains information about our work to help public bodies support users experiencing vulnerability.