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We are currently taking steps to manage the circumstances we are all experiencing in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Like most others, including our fellow public sector service providers, this is impacting on our ability to provide our full normal service.

Mr Paul McFadden was nominated by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 3 February 2020 to serve as Acting Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman’s office opened its doors to the public on 22 December 1969.  To mark the occasion we have produced a short film, The 50th Anniversary of the Ombudsman in Northern Ireland, which looks at the Office’s origins and explains more about our work.  

A report released today has revealed that complaints to the Ombudsman increased by 15% in the last year. During 2018-19 the Office received 762 new complaints. This is the third successive year in which complaints to the Ombudsman have increased.  

An investigation has found that the Northern Health and Social Care Trust failed to provide adequate care and treatment to a patient who died of multiple organ failure in the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine on 26 September 2015.

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.