Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
PHSO
Summary
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman holds two offices combined by convention: Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967) and Health Service Commissioner for England (under the Health Service Commissioners Act 1993). The officeholder is appointed by the Crown on recommendation of the government following consultation with the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, for a single non-renewable 7-year term. Removal requires address by both Houses. The PHSO has statutory powers to require the production of documents and the examination of witnesses. Reports on completed investigations are laid before Parliament and published. The budget is set as a parliamentary estimate.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 7 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
- Citation
- 1967 c. 13
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
UK government departments and agencies (parliamentary complaints); NHS bodies in England and Wales (health service complaints); does not cover devolved administrations' public services