New Office of the Health Ombudsman in Queensland

On 1 July, the new Office of the Health Ombudsman, Queensland began operation.

This office provides assistance for all complaints about a health service or provider in Queensland and replaces the previous Health Quality and Complaints Commission.  Members who are contacted by the Office of the Health Ombudsmen should call MIPS’ 24-hour Clinico-Legal Support on 1800 061 113 for further advice and assistance.

Other functions of the Office are to:

* Receive and investigate complaints about health services and health service providers, including registered and unregistered health practitioners.
* Decide what action to take in relation to those complains and, in certain instances, take immediate action to protect the safety of the public.
* Monitor the health, conduct and performance functions of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and national health practitioner boards.
* Provide information about minimising and resolving health service complaints.
* Report publicly on the performance of our functions.

Members are advised that the mandatory notification requirements under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 remain unchanged; except notifications are now made to the Office of the Health Ombudsman as of 1 July 2014.

See who can make a complaint

Members can seek advice from MIPS before making such notifications.

For more information, visit oho.qld.gov.au