The NSW Ombudsman has tabled a special report titled Investigation into inmate discipline in NSW correctional centres in Parliament on 21 August 2024. The report follows an investigation involving a systemic examination of how inmate discipline is managed across all correctional centres. The inmate disciplinary system deals with inmates who are alleged to have committed a ‘correctional centre offence’ while in custody.

England’s Health Ombudsman has warned that women and babies are being put at risk after a worrying rise in the number of investigations about maternity care. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is urging the Government and NHS leaders to learn from the mistakes being made and take action to protect more families from harm. 

The Ombudsman for Wales has published today its Annual Report & Accounts for 2023/24, which shows a staggering 37% increase since 2019 in the number of new complaints received about public services and the behaviour of local councillors. 2023/24 marks the Ombudsman Wales’ most efficient year – the office handled over 10,000 cases, closing more than they have ever have done before and reducing the costs for each case and investigation

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) commissioned "Tomorrow Starts with Us", a survey carried out with Amárach Research to mark the OCO’s 20th Anniversary. The cost of living, mental health services and future housing needs are the top three concerns for over 1,000 secondary school students who took part in the survey.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is urging Integrated Care Boards (ICB) to learn from mistakes and take action to prevent other families facing unnecessary financial strain after a case investigated by the Ombudsman highlighted the issue.

From 21 – 25 October 2024, the Office will host its annual Complaint Handling Forum. The 5-part virtual forum will feature speakers from a variety of backgrounds, including a keynote address from the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Iain Anderson. Kindly note the changed dates compared to a previous newsletter article published on the event.

The Yukon Ombudsman has released an investigative report on three separate complaints against the Yukon Human Rights Commission (HRC). The investigation found unfairness in the organization’s operations and made eight recommendations to the HRC, and the Department of Justice combined.

On 9 August 2024, the Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, announced the launch of a direct investigation to carefully examine the respite services for supporting carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities.