The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman announced today that former Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson has been appointed as Independent Adviser to a major review of the Ombudsman’s clinical advice process. The Ombudsman has also announced today the launch of a public consultation on that process.

The clinical advice review is chaired by Sir Alex Allan KCB, non-executive Board member, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, and will examine how the Ombudsman commissions and uses independent clinical advice in its investigations.

Sir Alex Allan KCB said: “Sir Liam Donaldson is a global leader in public health and healthcare quality and safety. We are privileged to benefit from his extensive experience and knowledge as we undertake our clinical advice review. Sir Liam and I now welcome views and scrutiny from those who use our service and across the health sector."  

Clinical advice from health professionals frequently forms an important part of the evidence that the Ombudsman looks at to make final decisions on unresolved complaints about the NHS in England. Last year, the Ombudsman commissioned independent clinical advice in around three-quarters of the 2,355 health complaints it investigated.

A commitment was made in Our strategy 2018-21: Delivering an exemplary ombudsman service to review how the Ombudsman commissions and uses clinical advice in order to ensure that it is consistent with our organisational values of independence, fairness, excellence and transparency. 

The public consultation is open from today until 15 October 2018 and accessed via the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman website. The review is expected to conclude in the New Year.

Contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman press office: 

sally.brown@ombudsman.org.ukOpens email client | 0300 061 4144

Out of office hours | press@ombudsman.org.ukOpens email client | 0300 061 4444