Select committee: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Conclusion 21
Sixth Report - Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2021–22
Published 31 Mar 2023
Paragraph 76
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2021-22 All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
In the Committee’s PHSO Annual Scrutiny Report 2020–21, we called for a Peer Review of the PHSO to be undertaken as soon as possible. We are pleased that this took place in 2022 and reported before our annual scrutiny session. The Committee welcomes that the PHSO was the first body to undergo a review by an accredited Panel, and in line with our previous recommendation, the Panel included a member with auditor experience. The Committee notes the positive results of the Peer Review, as well as areas identified for improvement. Although the Peer Review Panel 38 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2021–22 did not provide any in-depth value-for-money analysis of the PHSO’s service, it has helpfully identified areas where the organisation is performing well and where it could improve in the future. We therefore support and encourage the continued use of periodic peer reviews to assess the effectiveness of the PHSO.
From: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Sixth Report - Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2021–22 (HC 745), paragraph 76, 31 March 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 16 June 2023 (deadline 31 May 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government states it is "supportive of the Ombudsman" and responds to two recommendations, one on the Complaint Standards and one on legislative reform, where it is "not convinced that fundamental reform is a priority at the current time".
- On the Complaint Standards, the Government is "supportive" and pleased that departments including the Cabinet Office have come forward as early adopters.
- It says it is right that the Cabinet Office should work with other departments to encourage adoption, but only on the condition that the Standards "are shown to be working in practice". It gives no date, and does not address the end-2023 sign-up target.
- On legislative reform, it considers its system "effective in the context in which it operates" and is not convinced that legislation is "the answer to many of the identified issues". It sets out no legislative timetable.
- It is "content to keep this under review" and to look at specific reform proposals "on a case by case basis".