Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman@PHSOmbudsman

We investigate complaints about the NHS in England, UK government departments and public bodies, including museums. Our service is free, fair and independent.

 United Kingdom
ombudsman.org.uk
Joined September 2011
3,789 Photos and videos
On 1 October, we're changing our name to the Public Service Ombudsman. Our role stays the same: making sure public services are fair and effective, and driving improvements where they're not. Find out more: orlo.uk/6TxOp
A graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman titled 'Public Service Ombudsman: a new name for a new chapter'.

ALT A graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman titled 'Public Service Ombudsman: a new name for a new chapter'.

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#Complaints can make a difference. We want to help people complain if they are unhappy about government or health services – particularly people who are less likely to complain or may not be aware they can. Our website has tips to help: orlo.uk/7LT1n #FeedbackFriday
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Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman retweeted
Healthwatch England@HealthwatchE
Sep 25
Did you feel ready to be discharged from the hospital? If you left hospital in the last 12 months, we want to learn what happened – and what could have gone better. Take our survey to tell us more. smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hwehospi…
A light green infographic. Dark blue Healthwatch logo in top right. Image bottom left of two females, a clinician standing and patient sitting. They are talking. Pink and green curved ribbons in bottom right. Dark blue font in centre says Did you feel ready to be discharged from the hospital?

ALT A light green infographic. Dark blue Healthwatch logo in top right. Image bottom left of two females, a clinician standing and patient sitting. They are talking. Pink and green curved ribbons in bottom right. Dark blue font in centre says Did you feel ready to be discharged from the hospital?
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Next week, we’re changing our name to the Public Service Ombudsman. Our role will remain the same – we’ll still be here to make sure that the public sector that delivers a fair and effective service. Where it doesn't, we’ll work to drive improvements. ombudsman.org.uk/new-name?ut….
Graphic with the text 'Public Service Ombudsman: a new name for a new chapter' inside a dark purple speech bubble.

ALT Graphic with the text 'Public Service Ombudsman: a new name for a new chapter' inside a dark purple speech bubble.

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Diagnosis isn't the end of the journey for people with ADHD or autism. Our report finds many still face fragmented care and unclear support afterwards. We're calling for national commissioning guidance to close the gaps. Read more: orlo.uk/qhX8e
A stressed woman with curly hair sits at a table, holding her head in frustration while looking at a laptop screen.

ALT A stressed woman with curly hair sits at a table, holding her head in frustration while looking at a laptop screen.

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We welcome today's expansion of Martha's Rule across A&E departments in England. It gives patients and families a clearer way to raise concerns and ask for an urgent review if they're worried a loved one's condition is getting worse.
NHS England
@NHSEngland
Sep 22
Martha’s Rule is to be expanded to A&Es across England. Patients, loved ones and NHS staff will be able to call a dedicated number to request an urgent review if a patient’s condition is getting worse and they’re concerned it’s not being listened to. ➡️ england.nhs.uk/2026/09/nhs-t…
Elderly patient holding hands with a loved one in a hospital, highlighting Martha's Rule expansion in England's A&E departments.

ALT Elderly patient holding hands with a loved one in a hospital, highlighting Martha's Rule expansion in England's A&E departments.

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Our latest report reveals people are being let down when it comes to accessible communications in public services. We found a lack of interpreters, poor recording of communication needs and inconsistent reasonable adjustments all contributed to failings. orlo.uk/wiA0u
Promotional graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on accessible communication.

ALT Promotional graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on accessible communication.

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This #WorldPatientSafetyDay, Ombudsman Paula Sussex shares why patient safety starts with listening, and how we're working with medical schools to teach that lesson from day one. Read more in her latest blog: orlo.uk/dDJPe
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Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman retweeted
Healthwatch England@HealthwatchE
Sep 16
Was the right support in place when you left hospital? If you've stayed in hospital overnight in the last 12 months, we want to know what it was like when you were discharged. Tell us more by clicking on the link below. smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hwehospi…
A dark blue infographic. Green and pink ribbons in bottom left. White Healthwatch logo in top right. White text says When the time came to leave hospital...What could have gone better?

ALT A dark blue infographic. Green and pink ribbons in bottom left. White Healthwatch logo in top right. White text says When the time came to leave hospital...What could have gone better?
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Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman retweeted
OmbudsmanAssociation@OmbudAssoc
Sep 15
Looking for a new challenge? Want to make a real difference? Our members @Legal_Ombudsman @PHSOmbudsman @LGOmbudsman @PensionsOmbuds & the Financial Services & Pensions Ombudsman are recruiting. For further info and how to apply, visit: ombudsmanassociation.org/omb…
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We wanted to share some tips on how to make a complaint to the NHS in England: - Decide what you hope to achieve - Make your complaint clear - Complain as soon as possible For more top tips, visit our website: orlo.uk/3K2gC
Tips for making a complaint: - Complain as soon as you can, - Decide what you hope to achieve, - Make your complaint clear, - Ask for help, - Keep to the point

ALT Tips for making a complaint: - Complain as soon as you can, - Decide what you hope to achieve, - Make your complaint clear, - Ask for help, - Keep to the point

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Our latest report reveals people are being let down by how ADHD and autism services are commissioned. We found long waits, poor information about patients' right to choose and inconsistent diagnosis recognition. Read more: orlo.uk/0wa97
A young man with curly hair sits in a waiting room, resting his chin on his hands with a pensive expression.

ALT A young man with curly hair sits in a waiting room, resting his chin on his hands with a pensive expression.

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We've published our report on communication in end of life care. It calls for mandatory training, better outcome measures and for end of life care to be prioritised in the NHS Single Patient Record rollout. Read the full report: orlo.uk/WDil7
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Our latest published cases include upheld decisions where we found failings in the care and treatment provided by NHS Trusts. View our latest casework decisions: orlo.uk/Q9h29
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Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman retweeted
Healthwatch England@HealthwatchE
Sep 9
How has delayed hospital discharge affected you? We want to learn more, so we can help people get the support they need to continue their recovery at home. Take our survey to tell us about your experience: bit.ly/4qolIyr
A teal infographic. Top half is text with blue Healthwatch logo in top right. Dark pastel blue ribbon separates the halves. The bottom half is a woman in a hospital bed looking at her phone. Text says 'What was your hospital discharge experience like?'

ALT A teal infographic. Top half is text with blue Healthwatch logo in top right. Dark pastel blue ribbon separates the halves. The bottom half is a woman in a hospital bed looking at her phone. Text says 'What was your hospital discharge experience like?'
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Diagnosis isn't the end of the journey for people with ADHD or autism. Our report finds many still face fragmented care and unclear support afterwards. We're calling for national commissioning guidance to close the gaps. Read more: orlo.uk/diJOJ
A stressed woman with curly hair sits at a table, holding her head in frustration while looking at a laptop screen.

ALT A stressed woman with curly hair sits at a table, holding her head in frustration while looking at a laptop screen.

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Our latest report reveals people are being let down by how ADHD and autism services are commissioned. We found long waits, poor information about patients' right to choose and inconsistent diagnosis recognition. Read more: orlo.uk/vzq6a
A young man with curly hair sits in a waiting room, resting his chin on his hands with a pensive expression.

ALT A young man with curly hair sits in a waiting room, resting his chin on his hands with a pensive expression.

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#Complaints can make a difference. We want to help people complain if they are unhappy about government or health services – particularly people who are less likely to complain or may not be aware they can. Our website has tips to help: orlo.uk/N7fRT #FeedbackFriday
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Today, the Ombudsman spoke @edgehill conference, addressing a critical gap in medical education: the importance of communication and truly listening to patients. Our message to future doctors? Build strong relationships. Respond with compassion. Resolve concerns constructively.
A woman in a navy blazer speaking at a lectern in front of an Edge Hill University branded screen.

ALT A woman in a navy blazer speaking at a lectern in front of an Edge Hill University branded screen.

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Our latest report reveals people are being let down when it comes to accessible communications in public services. We found a lack of interpreters, poor recording of communication needs and inconsistent reasonable adjustments all contributed to failings. orlo.uk/OCfe1
Promotional graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on accessible communication.

ALT Promotional graphic for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on accessible communication.

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