Guidelines for investigations

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Dear Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman,

I see from the written evidence submitted to the PASC by the Public and Commercial Services Union,

http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidenc...

that even if there were such signs (of maladministration), there had to be a 'worthwhile outcome' before the case could be investigated.

Please could you provide me with all your guidelines and information given to caseworkers, pertaining specifically to what the definition of a 'worthwhile outcome' is,

Yours faithfully,

CA Purkis

foiofficer, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

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[Name Removed] (Account suspended) left an annotation ()

The logic of that defeats me.

How can you assess the 'worthwhileness' of an out-come if you don't robustly investigate the entire in-come?

Surely caseworkers have an open mind as to where an investigation might lead and then crystallize their opinions at the end of a proper investigation?

Della left an annotation ()

Worthwhile for whom, is surely the other question.

CA Purkis left an annotation ()

My caseworker gave me her opinion of the unworthiness of my case before she had even looked at all the evidence. So I knew immediately that she had no intention if investigating it, and I was correct of course.

C Rock left an annotation ()

You may find that the worthwhileness is based entirely on the caseworkers’ capabilities, case load and remaining funds and time for proper investigation - but I am looking forwarded to seeing the definition. If it is recorded information, that is.

PHSO priority must be to close cases: an unwritten policy. It has nothing to do with fairness, accountability and remedy. PHSO = independence translated as unreceptiveness and obduracy. The complainant is the antagonist and their suffering is of no account.

I wish it all worked properly and Remedy was an achievable outcome. Then we could start to make early inroads to the original problems of failing Services. Then we could cut complaints and then PHSO funding.

CA Purkis left an annotation ()

I suspect we will be given the same gumf as this Colin

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/m...

The outcome is decided on a case by case basis etc etc etc. it all comes back to the Dame's absolute omnipotence.

foiofficer, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

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By email

6 February 2014

Dear Ms / Mr Purkis

Your information request (FDN-181991)

I write further to your email of 9 January 2014, in which you made an information request.

In your email, you wrote: ‘I see from the written evidence submitted to the PASC by the Public and Commercial Services Union […] that even if there were such signs (of maladministration), there had to be a 'worthwhile outcome' before the case could be investigated. Please could you provide me with all your guidelines and information given to caseworkers, pertaining specifically to what the definition of a 'worthwhile outcome' is’.

‘Worthwhile outcome’ is not a phrase we currently use in relation to our casework. However, it is something that featured as part of our old approach, and I have enclosed the Casework Policy and Guidance that was used by caseworkers in 2012 which describes securing a ‘worthwhile outcome’ for a complainant according to the circumstances of each individual case. I hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Aimee Gasston
Freedom of Information/Data Protection Officer
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
W: www.ombudsman.org.uk

Please email the FOI/DP team at: [email address]

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