Summary of the decision: A person requested documents, including an x-ray, from a unit of the University Hospital of Umeå in Region Västerbotten. The unit did not release the requested documents, instead notifying the applicant that a referral was required from the responsible doctor before a patient could obtain a copy of an x-ray. The investigation reveals that procedure at the unit was to refer individuals requesting x-ray images to the unit that requested the x-ray examination, which in turn would order a copy of the x-ray.

The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that there are no formal requirements concerning how a request for access to an official document should be made and that a request may be made to anyone within the authority. This implies that the regional health authority’s procedure is incompatible with the provisions of the Freedom of the Press Act (SFS 1949:105). Nor may a requirement be imposed for a referral from a doctor before an individual can receive a copy of a document.

Instead, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that the regional health authority should have promptly examined whether a copy of the requested document could be sent to the applicant; however, no such examination was conducted. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises Region Västerbotten for deficient processing of the applicant’s request for the disclosure of official documents.

Un chiaro segnale dell’attenzione verso la formazione dei futuri cittadini, fondamentale per la costruzione di una società più equa e rispettosa dei principi costituzionali.

Il progetto “Il Difensore civico sui banchi di scuola”, porterà Marino Fardelli, Difensore civico del Lazio, ad incontrare gli studenti di varie realtà scolastiche regionali, con lo scopo di far conoscere ai ragazzi ruolo e funzioni di questo organismo. L’iniziativa, possibile grazie al supporto di dirigenti scolastici e docenti degli istituti visitati, vedrà nelle prossime settimane ulteriori appuntamenti in altri istituiti scolastici della regione.

On February 26, 2025, Levan Ioseliani, Public Defender of Georgia, and Tamar Gvaramadze, First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia, met with Urs Daniel Engels, Head of the Division for Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The mandate of the Public Defender's Office and the challenges relating to the protection of human rights were discussed at the meeting. In addition, the issues relating to the supervision of the protests ongoing in the country and the activities of the Office in this direction were highlighted.

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman is proposing to investigate the actions of the region’s largest social housing landlord, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The investigation into social housing conditions would be the third to take place under the Ombudsman’s ‘own initiative’ power, which allows for an investigation to take place where she has a reasonable suspicion of systemic maladministration.

Ombudsman Margaret Kelly has written to the Housing Executive to propose her investigation after noting an increasing number of enquiries and complaints about housing to her Office. A significant proportion relate to concerns about maintenance and repairs, including reported delays in carrying out repair requests, the quality of the work undertaken and how the concerns of social housing tenants are responded to when issues are raised, including how complaints are handled.

The proposed investigation will also consider how the Housing Executive delivers adaptations to its homes to meet the needs of individuals with vulnerabilities, and what actions it takes to ensure the conditions of properties used for temporary accommodation are appropriate. In deciding to take this action, the Ombudsman also reflected on the extent to which individuals reaching out to her Office have referred to housing issues having an adverse impact on their health.

Ms Kelly said:
‘Access to high quality and safe housing is important in reducing health inequalities and improving the overall wellbeing of our population. A good maintenance and repairs service is one of the most important responsibilities landlords have. It is important there is confidence in how the Housing Executive delivers this service and responds when concerns are raised about housing conditions.’

Ms Kelly stated her proposed investigation would allow for a thorough examination of these important issues, with the aim of making further improvements in social housing provision.

The Ombudsman, having sent her investigation proposal to the Housing Executive, will consider carefully any response before deciding whether to proceed to investigate and finalise the issues that fall within the scope of her investigation. The Ombudsman will make a further announcement upon launching an investigation.