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.