Acting Public Services Ombudsman nominated by National Assembly for Wales
20 November 2013
The National Assembly for Wales has agreed to nominate Professor Margaret Griffiths to the Queen for appointment as acting Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
If approved by Her Majesty, Professor Griffiths will take over the role on a temporary basis from Peter Tyndall, whose term of office will end on 30 November.
Professor Griffiths, former Head of the Law School at the University of Glamorgan and Emeritus Professor of Law, has built a career specialising in consumer law.
She says that ensuring that public services are “delivered fairly” and are “responsive to the needs of the community” will be top of her agenda while in office.
“I am both pleased and honoured to have been offered the opportunity to serve as the Acting Public Services Ombudsman for Wales,” said Professor Griffiths.
“In taking on this role, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Peter Tyndall, who has been an exceptional Ombudsman and who has continuously developed the role and its influence in very challenging times.
“Effective public services are extremely important to all of us who live or work in Wales, especially those from disadvantaged communities or who are in need of particular help and support.
“As Ombudsman, I intend to continue to provide an independent, professional and evidence-led service that protects the rights of the individual and offers recourse to all.
“Equally, I will work to ensure that the Ombudsman plays a part in promoting public services that are delivered fairly and are responsive to the needs of the community.”
As acting Ombudsman, Professor Griffiths will be able to investigate complaints made by members of the public who believe that they have suffered maladministration or service failure by the Welsh Government, local government, the NHS, registered social landlords including housing associations and a range of other public bodies controlled or funded by the Welsh Government. The Ombudsman also undertakes investigations into allegations that a member of a local authority has failed to comply with the authority’s code of conduct.
The Assembly is making arrangements for a full and formal appointments process to find a permanent replacement for Peter Tyndall who has held the office since April 2008.
In the meantime, Professor Griffiths’ appointment as interim Ombudsman has been welcomed by politicians from all parties.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Tyndall for his outstanding work,” said Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM.
“He has ensured that the rights of ordinary citizens have been upheld and has led the office of the Public Services Ombudsman in an exemplary way, consistently impressing with his ability to deliver high quality services and to absorb ever growing numbers of complaints without significant increases in his costs.
“I also welcome Professor Griffiths to the role. She brings with her a wealth of legal experience and a strong commitment to improving public services.”
Peter Tyndall said it had been a “great honour and privilege” to have served Wales as Public Services Ombudsman.
“During my tenure, I have sought to ensure that people in Wales have access to an independent office which offers fair, objective and thorough consideration of their complaints about devolved public services, which they have been unable to resolve with the providers,” he said.
“I have worked to modernise the office and improve access and this has been reflected in a very significant increase in the number of complaints received and considered.
“One of the great privileges enjoyed by ombudsmen is the capacity to use the learning from complaints to drive improvement in public services and in the way complaints are dealt with. There has been significant improvement in recent years but there is scope for more. I have been especially troubled by the rise in health complaints and am sure that my successor will want to continue to work to improve the way these are dealt with by the NHS in Wales so that errors are not repeated and the poor experiences of some are used to ensure that others do not suffer similar failings. These are difficult times for public services and I know that the incidents giving rise to complaints represent only a small part of the picture and that dedicated staff across Wales continue to strive to offer excellent services in the face of great challenges.
“I have been pleased to enjoy close working relationships with the National Assembly for Wales, its staff, committees and the Presiding Officer, who have helped to ensure the independence of the office and that its lessons are learnt by public service providers. I have also been well supported by a competent and dedicated staff team who have been a credit to the office.
“I would like to take the opportunity to wish the Acting Ombudsman, Professor Griffiths, and my eventual successor every success in this rewarding and challenging role.”