A total of 190 matters, ranging from health service complaints to systemic health service issues, were under investigation by the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) as of the end of January, according to the OHO’s latest performance data.

Health Ombudsman Leon Atkinson-MacEwen said it was important the OHO investigates health service matters thoroughly and impartially to ensure the most appropriate actions and recommendations are being made.

“As well as investigating health service complaints and notifications received directly from the public and health service providers, we work closely with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to identify serious matters for investigation,” Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said.

Along with AHPRA needing to notify the OHO of any potentially serious matters, there was also a review and audit of active AHPRA investigations, as notified to the OHO by AHPRA, undertaken when the OHO commenced operation.

“Very early on we started working with AHPRA to review their current investigations and transition the more serious matters over to the OHO for management.

“To date, 59 matters have been transitioned, in addition to 39 matters I requested be transferred to my office following notification from, or agreement with, AHPRA”, said Mr Atkinson-MacEwen.

Of these matters, 36 are listed on the OHO investigations register.

“I have a requirement to publish on the OHO website all investigations that have been open more than 12 months, including matters that have come to us from AHPRA, based on the date AHPRA commenced its investigation.”

The investigations register can be viewed at www.oho.qld.gov.au

“Along with this, my office has started over 120 investigations based on complaints and notifications made to us by healthcare consumers and health service providers since 1 July, and all up we’ve completed 48 investigations.

“In the coming months, the OHO will start to publish a variety of investigation reports detailing the outcomes of investigations to help give the public an understanding of the investigation process and the work that we do.”

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said this was another step his office was taking in its commitment to transparency.

“I want to make sure Queenslanders have access to the information they need in order to have confidence in the way their health service complaints are managed.”

Media contact:

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