Parliamentary & Health Ombudsman Referral Letter Template & Generator

If you need to escalate unresolved NHS complaint to the Parliamentary & Health Ombudsman, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong parliamentary & health ombudsman referral should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• Confirm the NHS internal complaints process has been completed without satisfactory resolution
• Describe the complaint and the outcome sought
• Provide the NHS complaint reference number and final response date
• Request the Ombudsman investigate the matter

When it's time to escalate to the Ombudsman

If your NHS complaint hasn't been resolved satisfactorily at trust level, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman provides a free, independent final review — but you generally need to have completed the NHS's own complaints process first, since the Ombudsman won't normally investigate until this internal route has been exhausted.

What this letter or referral needs to cover

• A summary of your original complaint and the trust's response
• Why you remain dissatisfied with the outcome
• Copies of relevant correspondence from the NHS complaints process
• What outcome you're still seeking

What the Ombudsman can actually do

The Ombudsman can investigate independently, make findings about what went wrong, and recommend remedies including apologies, changes to practice, or in some cases financial redress — their findings carry real weight even though they can't compel compliance in the way a court could.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a time limit for referring to the Ombudsman?
Generally you should refer within 12 months of the trust's final response, though extensions can sometimes be considered with good reason.

Is there a cost to use the Ombudsman service?
No — this is a free, independent service for members of the public.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.