Data released by the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) for November shows the number of contacts received has continued to rise each month since July 2015.

Health Ombudsman Mr Leon Atkinson-MacEwen said strategies have been implemented to cope with the increasingly high level of contacts.

“The OHO was established to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring all Queenslanders have access to a timely, transparent and fair health complaints system, and this requires the office to manage all aspects of the complaints process as efficiently as possible.

“The ongoing increase in contacts is a positive sign people are aware of how to make a health complaint to the OHO and are taking action to prevent issues reoccurring, and my office has continued to evolve in order to provide the quality service the Queensland public expects,” said Mr Atkinson-MacEwen.

November performance data also indicates a significant increase in the number of completed assessments (262), and improved timeliness, with 44 per cent (114) of these assessments completed within 30 days.

“Assessment is the very first step in the complaints process and involves collecting and analysing information provided by the complainant, the health service provider involved in the matter and independent experts,” said Mr Atkinson-MacEwen.

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said that even with his office receiving more contacts each month, results show complaints are being actioned quickly, while still ensuring a thorough, impartial process for all parties involved.

For more information, or to view the November performance report in full, visit www.oho.qld.gov.au.

Media contact:

media@oho.qld.gov.au 0427 483 656