UNITED KINGDOM

ENGLAND

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

The ombudsman institution was established in Great Britain in 1967. In England the institution is called Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and its powers and responsibilities are set out in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act of 1967. The ombudsman is appointed by the Queen on the proposal of the Government after consultations with a special Investigation Commission. He may be removed from the office by the Queen on a stated vote of non-confidence by both Houses of the Parliament or on the initiative of the Queen. The ombudsman must in any case vacate office on completing the year of service in which he attains the age of 65 years.

The ombudsman is independent in his activities and is not a civil servant. He may appoint such officers as he may determine with the approval of the Treasury as to numbers and conditions of service.

He does not exercise supervision over the work of the whole administration. Excluded from examination or investigation by the ombudsman are complains about the work of the administrative bodies and institutions in North Ireland, government policy, the content of legislation, judges' decisions, or actions taken under their direction. Complaints to him are confidential and his investigations are private, but he is obliged to present an annual overview on the cases of maladministration and on his activities to the both Houses of Parliament.

Contact information:
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Address: Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP
Phone: 0845 015 4033, 020 7217 4163
Fax: 020 7217 4160
E-mail: OPCA.Enquiries@ombudsman.gsi.gov.uk
Web site: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/

NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland Ombudsman

The title of Northern Ireland Ombudsman is a popular name for two offices: The Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints.

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman deals with complaints from people who believe they have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration by government departments and public bodies in Northern Ireland. The Office was established in 1969, but the current powers and responsibilities are laid down in the Ombudsman (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Commissioner for Complaints (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. On 1 December 1997 these were extended, by the Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, to include complaints about doctors, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists (ophthalmic opticians) providing family health services and by other health care professionals in the Health and Personal Social Services. The ombudsman is also able to investigate complaints about the exercise of clinical judgment by health care professionals.

The ombudsman is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Northern Ireland Executive, and of the government departments and public bodies which can be investigated. His authority is derived from a royal warrant and he reports to the Northern Ireland Assembly by laying an Annual Report before it. All complaints are treated in the strictest confidence. The service is free.

The ombudsman investigates organizations which are specified in the legislation. This includes all local councils, education and library boards, health and social services boards and trusts, as well as all government departments and their agencies.

Contact information:
Northern Ireland Ombudsman
Address: Progressive House, 33 Wellington Place, Freepost BEL 1478 Belfast, BT1 6BR
Phone: 0800 34 34 24 (Freephone number) or 028 9023 3821 (switchboard)
Fax: 028 9023 4912
E-mail: ombudsman@ni-ombudsman.org.uk
Web site: http://www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk/

SCOTLAND

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

In 2002 the Scottish Parliament adopted Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act to set out the organization and functions of that institution. The ombudsman is appointed by the Queen on nomination of the Parliament for a term of five years and is entitled for another tenure. He vacates office on 31st December in the year of service in which the officer in question attains the age of 65. He may be removed from office by the Queen in pursuance of a resolution of the Parliament which must be voted for by a number of members equivalent to not less than two thirds of the total number of seats for members of the Parliament.

The Scottish ombudsman is assisted by three deputy ombudsmen. He may consider complaint about the Scottish parliament and the Scottish administration, Health service and local authorities. The public service ombudsman may not investigate actions, taken by a member of the Scottish Executive or by any police authority for the purposes of or in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime or the protection of the security of the State. He may not commence investigation of civil or criminal proceedings before any court of law, or of proceedings before any international court or tribunal.

The ombudsman lays an annual report on the performance of his functions before the Parliament.

Contact information
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Address: 4 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NS
Phone: 0870 011 5378
Fax: 0870 011 5379
E-mail: enquiries@scottishombudsman.org.uk
Web site: http://www.scottishombudsman.org.uk/

WALES

Public Services Ombudsman

With the adoption of the Public Services Ombudsman Act in 2005 a single ombudsman institution was created replacing the existing offices of the Local Government Ombudsman, the Health Service Commissioner for Wales and the Welsh Administration Ombudsman.

The ombudsman is appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Secretary of State, who recommends a person to be appointed as the ombudsman after consulting the Assembly. The Ombudsman is appointed for a 7 years term. He is an independent institution and provides free service.

The matters which the ombudsman is entitled to investigate are: alleged maladministration by the authorities listed in the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005; an alleged failure in a relevant service provided by such an authority; and alleged failure to provide a relevant service. The listed authorities include the Government of Wales, the Local government, fire and police, and authorities working in the field of the environment, the health and social care, the housing, the education and training, etc.

The ombudsman must annually prepare a general report on the discharge of his functions before the Assembly. He may prepare also an extraordinary report with respect to his functions that he thinks appropriate.

Contact information:
Public Services Ombudsman
Address: Fifth Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG
Phone: 0845 601 0987