Rulebook · Way to challenge
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
An independent body that investigates complaints about NHS services in England, including integrated care boards. It normally looks at a complaint only after the NHS complaints process has finished. It can look at health provision in an EHC plan not being arranged.
Who can use it: The person affected, or someone acting for them. Time limit: Normally within 12 months of when the person affected first knew about the problem. It can accept a later complaint in some cases.
- Alongside other ways
- Yes, alongside an appeal about other parts of the plan or complaints to the council.
- Cost
- Free.
What it can do
- It can recommend an apology, a payment, or action to put things right.
What it cannot do
- It cannot change education decisions or the education parts of an EHC plan.
- It does not stop or extend the time limit for an appeal.
- Type of rule
- Law (Act or Regulations)This is the law, set by an Act of Parliament or by Regulations.
- Rule id
route.phso- Rules version
- england-2026.10
- Law as at
- 30 September 2026
Sources
- Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, s 9(4)Law (Act or Regulations)
- Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, s 9(5)Law (Act or Regulations)
- Children and Families Act 2014, s 42(3)Law (Act or Regulations)
Related
- Integrated care board (ICB)
- Health and social care recommendations (extended appeals)
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
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