Since opening its doors, the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) has received over 3,200 contacts, accepted over 1,300 complaints and completed over 880 assessments.

Almost 260 local resolutions have been completed, 19 conciliations have been finalised, and 20 investigations closed.

Health Ombudsman Leon Atkinson-MacEwen said that, despite the high numbers of matters being received and managed by the office, the OHO had been steadily improving the timeliness of its decision making and streamlining its internal processes.

“While I’m not surprised by the volume, given the number of interactions Queenslanders have with all kinds of health services on a daily basis, these figures certainly show how important our role is in the health system, providing Queenslanders with a means of voicing their concerns about the healthcare they receive.

“It’s important that, as the office becomes better established, we continue to look for ways of delivering the best possible service to complainants and health service providers”, Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said.

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen believed these results would not have been possible without the efforts of his staff.

“I want to thank all of my staff for their hard work and dedication over the first five months, everyone has really given it their all in establishing the office and providing a free, fair and impartial service to the people of Queensland.”

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said the Office of the Health Ombudsman would be effectively closed over the Christmas break, from 5pm Wednesday 24 December 2014 until 9am Friday 2 January 2015.

“Anyone with a complaint about a health service provider over the festive season can still lodge a complaint with the OHO using the online complaint form, or by downloading a complaint form and emailing or posting it to us. These will be processed as a matter of priority in the New Year. The telephone service—133 OHO (133 646)—will be closed over the Christmas period, with staff back to take calls from 9am Friday 2 January 2015.”

To make an online complaint, download a complaint form, or for more information on the OHO, please visit www.oho.qld.gov.au.

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