Patients can now complain to Ombudsman

HUNDREDS of thousands of hospital patients are to get the right for the first time to make complaints to the Ombudsman over standards of care, it has emerged.

Up until now dozens of voluntary hospitals and agencies across the country have been excluded from the remit of the State’s watchdog over public services.

But legislation aimed at giving patients a greater voice in the health system will be brought before the Dáil next year.

Voluntary hospitals are those not run directly by a health board and have a separate board of management.

They include some of the biggest hospitals in the State such as Dublin’s Tallaght Hospital, Cork’s Mercy Hospital and Galway’s Portiuncula Hospital.

While the new legislation will allow patients make complaints about standards of care, the issue of clinical judgement will be exempt.

The Ombudsman can investigate an action where a complaint has been made. He may also make a special report on the matter to the Oireachtas where it appears the response to a recommendation is not satisfactory.

The office may also make recommendations to the Government, although any suggestions are non-binding.

However governments have generally acted on the Ombudsman’s investigations, such as his recommendations on foot of an inquiry into the nursing home subvention scandal.

At present the 20-year-old legislation has allowed patients in health-board-run hospitals make complaints to the Ombudsman.

Many voluntary hospitals were established by religious orders, but they are now funded by the State.

Complaints to the Ombudsman over health issues have soared in recent years.

A spokesman for the office said social welfare complaints traditionally made up the bulk of their work, but in recent years health has overtaken it as the most contentious issue.

Last year the office received around 535 health-related complaints, 240 of which related to hospitals.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the extension of the Ombudsman’s remit would be in line with the National Health Strategy.