Media statements

Commenting on the findings of the East Kent NHS inquiry into the avoidable deaths of at least 45 babies, Ombudsman Rob Behrens said: "The Kirkup investigation makes distressing reading. It has only been a few months since the Ockenden report...

Ombudsman Rob Behrens, commenting on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: I would like to express my deep sorrow at the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Colleagues at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman join me to...

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has today published its report following our 2020-21 scrutiny session. L ike many organisations, we have not been immune to the impact of the p andemic. The Committee has acknowledged that the strain...

Commenting on the findings of the report by Donna Ockenden into serious failings in maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, Ombudsman Rob Behrens, said: These women and their families were let down by shocking levels of maternity care...

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has expressed concern over reports of “chaos and confusion” facing refugees trying to apply for a British visa to escape the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. UK MPs have told the media...

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, responds to the Health and Social Care Committee’s report, 'Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic': The vulnerabilities in the NHS have been exposed during the pandemic, but these challenges pre-date COVID-19. While...

Commenting on the appointment of Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark as the new National Guardian for Freedom to Speak Up in the NHS in England, Ombudsman Rob Behrens said: I congratulate Jayne on her appointment to the vital role of National Guardian...

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, responds to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care 2020/21 report: This report provides a valuable analysis of the impact COVID-19 has had on health and social care services, while rightly recognising the...

Commenting on the findings of an investigation into the death of eight-week-old Ben Condon at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundations Trust, Ombudsman Rob Behrens, said: Our investigation found a catalogue of failings in the Trust’s treatment of Ben...

Commenting on the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) report Support for NHS staff following patient safety incidents, Rob Behrens, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, said: This report highlights the importance of developing an open culture in the NHS where staff...