Public sector complaints official to visit West Country
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is coming to Bristol
An important public service official is visiting the West Country today.
Today and tomorrow (16-17 August) the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) Rob Behrens will be in Bristol for a series of regional roadshows about the issues residents are having with public services.
The Ombudsman deals with a variety of complaints from welfare payments, visa issues and problems with support for British citizens abroad, to failings within the NHS such as delayed diagnoses and incorrect treatment.
It is hoped the visit will encourage people who have had a bad experience, but have not issued a formal complaint for whatever reason, to speak up.
“I believe in the power of complaining," PHSO Rob Behrens said.
"A well-handled complaint has the power to reveal the truth, bring closure and create lasting positive change.
"When things go wrong in public services people should feel empowered to speak up about their experiences so the NHS, the Government and its agencies are held to account and standards improve.
“But not everyone feels comfortable complaining or knows who to turn to for help.
"That’s one of the reasons why the PHSO team is in Bristol.
"As well as listening to members of the community about the issues they’re facing, we’re here to provide support and advice so they know how we can help to put things right."
While in Bristol the Ombudsman and PHSO’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Hilsenrath, will visit different sectors of the local community to meet people and explain their role.
A free advise clinic will be held at the Wellspring Settlement on Thursday.
PHSO caseworkers will be on hand to help anyone who has had issues when using a public service or the NHS and talk through the process for complaints and the options available to them.
The Ombudsman and CEO will also visit several community organisations including North West Bristol Foodbank, and local charity 1625 Independent People which works with young people who are homeless, leaving care or at risk of homelessness, plus community leaders, local MPs and the immigration and welfare benefits team at Bristol Law Centre, to find out about the issues they are seeing.