Conclusion 11

We would like to take the opportunity to emphasise the essential role that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman plays in identifying maladministration on the part of public organisations, securing redress in the face of injustice suffered by members of the public as a result of that maladministration, and improving public services more widely. It is vital that public organisations respect the office of the Ombudsman and recognise the importance of complaints in shining a light on public service failures which all such organisations should take seriously. The principles of good administration must be upheld. We recognise that there will inevitably be disagreements during the course of investigations, but the starting point of an organisation under investigation should be curiosity and a willingness to use the investigation as an opportunity to improve, as opposed to defensiveness and questioning the right of the Ombudsman to make their findings. It is the role of this committee to provide assurance regarding the work of the PHSO through our regular scrutiny. (Conclusion, Paragraph 68) Organisational jurisdiction (2): The reviews