Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Deferred
Require government to reconsider PHSO legislative reform and set out plans before election
Recommendation
We renew our call for legislative reform of the PHSO, the principle of which enjoys widespread support among stakeholders and the ombudsmen that would be directly affected. The PHSO have outlined to us some concrete examples of the operational issues that are being caused, and exacerbated over time, by the lack of reform. Reforms are long overdue, and we do not agree with the Government that this is not an urgent issue; rather it has been neglected too long and further delay is no longer tenable. The Government should reconsider its position on reforms and set out its plans, ahead of the general election. It should consult with a wide variety of stakeholders, including different ombudsmen, parliamentarians and PHSO service users. All political parties should include a commitment to reforming the legislation relating to the PHSO in their upcoming manifestos ahead of the next General Election, coupled with a commitment to introduce such legislation early in the next Parliament. (Paragraph 58) Impact on other organisations
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response did not address legislative reform for the PHSO. Instead, it outlined lessons learned and best practices adopted from international collaborations, such as the Canadian 'Complaints Champions' model, 'roadshows' based on Dutch and Western Australian approaches, and a learning exchange on mediation with the Israeli Ombudsman.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
10 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2022–23: Government and PHSO response We welcome this recommendation and PACAC’s continued support on the matter of legislative reform. It is regrettable that the Government has chosen not to act on the recommendations from PACAC and its predecessor Committees to progress Ombudsman reform. in the UK to generate efficiencies and improve services by creating a single Public Service Ombudsman. This could occur alongside reforms to: • Allow citizens a choice on whether to refer their complaint via their MP or directly to the Ombudsman; • Enable the Ombudsman to investigate public service failings that affect people who are unable or unwilling to complain; or • Introduce stronger powers to drive improvement in complaint-handling in frontline public services. upcoming manifestos ahead of the next General Election to reform the legislation relating to the PHSO. We believe that ombudsman services in England can play a stronger role in our justice landscape and that work to review the landscape and consult on the nature of reform could deliver significant efficiencies and improve access to justice.
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