Media statements

On Friday 6 March, the High Court refused permission for the judicial review sought by the Charity Commission in relation to two investigations we completed in March 2024 . PHSO investigated complaints about how the Commission handled concerns regarding serious...

The Mental Health Act has received Royal Assent. In early 2024, our report , Discharge from mental health care: making it safe and patient-centred highlighted the trauma and tragedies that can occur when mistakes are made as people leave hospital...

Parliament will debate the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the Hillsborough Law Bill for the first time today. Commenting on this, Paula Sussex, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said: “The relationship between the citizen and the state is...

Today, the Government has published Dr Penny Dash's review of patient safety across the health and care landscape in England. Rebecca Hilsenrath KC (Hon), Chief Executive of PHSO, said: "Disentangling the complex and overlapping world of patient safety organisations will...

The Government has published it's 10 Year Health Plan for England, which sets out its ambitions for the future of the NHS. Commenting on the plan, PHSO's Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Hilsenrath said: The Government’s ambition to put patient experience...

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has responded to recommendations made following our investigation into DWP's communication of changes to women's State Pension age. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: ‘The Government’s apology to the women...

The CQC has published its annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England. The State of the Care report highlights inequalities in care, issues in accessing good, timely care, and serious concerns about mental health services...

The Government has commissioned an independent review of patient safety organisations. This was one of the recommendations PHSO made in its 2023 Broken Trust report. The Dash Review, carried out by Penny Dash, will assess whether six organisations deliver effective...

On Wednesday 11 September, Lord Ara Darzi published his report, ' I ndependent Investigation of the National Health Service in England '. Lord Darzi's review of the NHS was commissioned by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting shortly after the General...

Ombudsman Rob Behrens comments on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) investigation of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The CQC has told the Trust that it needs to make improvements, especially around its culture, following inspections carried out in...