Ombudsman
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is the final stage for complaints about organisations providing public services in Scotland.
The ombudsman deals with complaints about councils, the National Health Service, housing associations, the Scottish Government and its agencies and departments, colleges and universities and most Scottish public bodies.
Complaints are normally only considered after they have been through the formal complaints process of the organisation concerned. You can then bring a complaint to by visiting the office, calling or texting, in writing, or filling out the online complaint form.
The ombudsman service is independent, impartial and free
When the ombudsman gets involved, the first step will be to look at whether the complaint is one that they can handle, because complaints can only be investigated where the ombudmsna has the legal power to do so.
If they do take on your complaint, it becomes an investigation. At the end of the investigation, a report is sent to you, the body complained about and the Scottish Parliament. A report cannot be changed once it has been laid.
Making a complaint
You can make an enquiry or complaint by:
Visiting the ombudsman office (open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, apart from Tuesday which is 10am to 5pm)
Phone 0800 377 7330
Fax 0800 377 7331
Text 0790 049 4372
E-mail ask@spso.org.uk
Fill out an online complaint form at the obudsman website www.scottishombudsman.org.uk
Write to
SPSO
Freepost EH641
Edinburgh EH3 0BR
Other languages and formats
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman welcome enquiries and complaints in languages other than English. If you would like to speak to the ombudsman in a language other than English they can arrange interpreting support. Some of the ombudsman publicity material is available in other languages and formats.
Other ombudsman services
Financial ombudsman
South Quay Plaza, 138 Marsh Wall, London, 9SR
Phone 0171 796 3065
Info: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
The financial ombudsman service provides consumers with a free independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms
Corporate estate agents ombudsman
Beckett House, 4 Bridge Street, Salisbury
Phone 01722 333 306
Pensions ombudsman
11 Belgrave RoadLondon
Phone 0171 834 9144
www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk
Scottish legal services ombudsman
17 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3DL
Phone 0131 556 9123
Fax 0131 556 9292
E-mail ombudsman@slso.org.uk
Scottish legal services ombudsman website