The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
today launches its yearly review of the Parliamentary and Health
Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) annual report and accounts for
2022-23.
The PHSO is an independent complaints body that investigates
administrative failures which have not been resolved by NHS
England, UK Government departments and certain public bodies. The
annual inquiry is an opportunity to consider the PHSO’s general
working practices.
As part of its inquiry, the Committee welcomes written
submissions from those with knowledge or experience of the
PHSO’s:
- performance on its casework and productivity;
- staff management and training;
- value for money; and
- impact on other organisations.
Chair comment
Committee Chair, , said:
“Our annual scrutiny inquiry on the Parliamentary Health Service
Ombudsman is an important part of this Committee’s role in
holding public bodies to account. Alongside our review of its
annual report, this year, our inquiry is an opportunity for the
Committee to reflect on the tenure of the outgoing Ombudsman and
examine the priorities of the organisation’s recently appointed
Chief Executive.”
Call for evidence
The deadline for submitting evidence is 5pm on Friday 20
October.
The Committee cannot investigate or report on individual cases
during the scrutiny process. The questions to the Ombudsman and
subsequent report will cover general working practices of the
organisation and its performance only.
The Committee is unable to accept written evidence that goes
beyond the confines of the inquiry, or which is judged to contain
allegations against named individuals or bodies related to
individual cases.
The contents of a submission must also not already be published
elsewhere. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in
rejected submissions.
