Parliamentary Ombudsman reopens review of healthcare complaint delays

The Parliamentary Ombudsman has reopened an investigation into the processing times for complaints handled by the Office of the Medical Director of Health and is seeking answers from the Ministry of Health, mbl.is reports.

The request follows complaints about lengthy delays. In a 2024 opinion, the ombudsman urged the ministry to take immediate, effective and targeted measures to reduce the number of cases awaiting resolution at the Medical Director of Health’s office.

The ministry subsequently provided information on the situation, additional funding and a plan of action.

The ombudsman is now asking the ministry to explain what was done after its responses in the earlier case and whether, and in what way, those measures improved the handling of complaints.

The ministry has also been asked to describe the current processing times for complaints at the Medical Director of Health’s office and to say whether the status of those cases has prompted any further action. If so, it must outline what measures were taken.