How can Ombuds schemes be reformed?
b'Ombuds schemes enable citizens to complain about the service they receive \\u2013 and in the case of public services they play a crucial role in the balance of power between citizen and state. They hold government, the NHS, councils and other public bodies to account when their failings harm people \\u2013 both resolving individual cases and informing public service improvement and reform.\\xa0\\n\\nHowever, the public service Ombuds system in England is hamstrung by outdated powers and organisational structures, and has fallen behind systems in the devolved nations and other modern democracies. \\xa0\\n\\nSo how could Ombuds schemes be reformed? What are the options for reform? And why has it been so hard to achieve progress? One proposal is to establish a new Public Service Ombudsman (PSO) to bring together the jurisdictions of existing public service Ombuds schemes, but a bill drafted in 2016 was never passed.\\xa0\\n\\nTo discuss potential next steps for Ombuds reform, the Institute for Government was delighted to host an expert panel including:\\n\\nRosemary Agnew, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman\\nRob Behrens CBE, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman\\nSir Bernard Jenkin MP, former Chair, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee\\nSandra Verkuyten OBE, Former CEO of the Hearing Aid Council\\nPatrick Vernon OBE, Social Commentator and Campaigner\\n\\nThe event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.'