Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

1 Overview

(1) This Part of the Act is an overview of the main provisions of the Act.

(2) Part 2 provides for the continuation of the role of the Ombudsman.

(3) Part 3 makes provision for—

(a) the Ombudsman to investigate listed authorities;

(b) who can make and refer complaints to the Ombudsman;

(c) the matters that may be investigated by the Ombudsman;

(d) the procedures that apply to the Ombudsman’s investigations;

(e) the Ombudsman’s powers to deal with obstruction and contempt;

(f) the Ombudsman to prepare reports of investigations;

(g) the Ombudsman to issue guidance to listed authorities about good administrative practice;

(h) listed authorities to compensate persons aggrieved.

(4) Part 4 makes provision for—

(a) the Ombudsman to publish a statement of principles about the complaints-handling procedures of listed authorities, and the Assembly procedure that applies to the statement of principles;

(b) the Ombudsman to publish model complaints-handling procedures for listed authorities;

(c) requiring a listed authority to comply with a model complaints-handling procedure that applies to the listed authority;

(d) the Ombudsman to declare that the complaints-handling procedure of a listed authority does not comply with the model complaints-handling procedure;

(e) the Ombudsman to promote best practice in relation to complaints-handling.

(5) Part 5 makes provision for—

(a) the Ombudsman to investigate social care providers and palliative care providers;

(b) who can make and refer complaints to the Ombudsman about social care and palliative care;

(c) the social care and palliative care matters that may be investigated by the Ombudsman;

(d) the procedures that apply to the Ombudsman’s investigations into social care and palliative care;

(e) the Ombudsman to prepare reports of investigations into social care and palliative care.

(6) Part 6 makes supplementary provision for—

(a) the Ombudsman to work with other ombudsmen and commissioners etc. in relation to investigations;

(b) the disclosure and protection of information and publications in relation to investigations.

(7) Part 7 makes miscellaneous provision, including adding the Ombudsman to Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language Standards (No. 2) Regulations 2016 and a requirement for the review of the operation of this Act by the Assembly.

PART 2 THE PUBLIC SERVICES OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES

2 The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

(1) The office of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales or Ombwdsmon Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Cymru (in this Act referred to as “the Ombudsman”) is to continue.

(2) Schedule 1 makes further provision about the Ombudsman.

PART 3 INVESTIGATIONS

Power of investigation

3 Power to investigate complaints

(1) The Ombudsman may investigate a complaint under this Part in respect of a matter if the complaint has been—

(a) duly made to the Ombudsman, or

(b) duly referred to the Ombudsman, and

the matter is one which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under sections 11 to 16.

(2) A complaint is “duly made” to the Ombudsman if (but only if)—

(a) it is made by a person who is entitled under section 7 to make the complaint to the Ombudsman, and

(b) the requirements of section 8(1) are met in respect of it.

(3) A complaint is “duly referred” to the Ombudsman if (but only if)—

(a) it is referred to the Ombudsman by a listed authority, and

(b) the requirements of section 9(1) are met in respect of it.

(4) The Ombudsman may investigate a complaint under this Part in respect of a matter even if the requirements of section 8(1) or (as the case may be) section 9(1)(b), (c) or (d) are not met in respect of the complaint, if—

(a) the matter is one which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under sections 11 to 16, and

(b) the Ombudsman thinks it reasonable to do so.

(5) It is for the Ombudsman to decide whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation (but see section 8(5)(a) for a restriction on the power to begin an investigation under subsection (1)(a)).

(6) The Ombudsman may take any action which the Ombudsman thinks may assist in making a decision under subsection (5).

(7) The Ombudsman may begin or continue an investigation into a complaint even if the complaint, or the referral of the complaint, has been withdrawn (but see section 8(5)(a) for a restriction on the power to begin an investigation under subsection (1)(a)).

4 Power to investigate on own initiative

(1) The Ombudsman may investigate a matter under this Part, which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under sections 11 to 16, whether a complaint has been duly made or referred to the Ombudsman or not.

(2) Before the Ombudsman begins an investigation under this section, the Ombudsman must—

(a) have regard to the public interest in beginning an investigation,

(b) have a reasonable suspicion—

(i) that there is systemic maladministration, or

(ii) in a case where the matter is one which may be investigated by virtue of section 15(2), that systemic injustice has been sustained as a result of the exercise of professional judgement,

(c) consult such persons as the Ombudsman considers appropriate (but see section 66 for further duties around consultation), and

(d) have regard to the criteria for own initiative investigations published under section 5.

(3) Subject to the other provisions of this section—

(a) it is for the Ombudsman to decide whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation under this section;

(b) the Ombudsman may take any action the Ombudsman thinks may assist in making a decision under subsection (3)(a).

5 Criteria for own initiative investigations

(1) The Ombudsman must publish criteria to be used in determining whether to begin an investigation under section 4.

(2) The Ombudsman must lay a draft of the first criteria before the Assembly.

(3) If, before the end of the 40 day period, the Assembly resolves not to approve the draft criteria, the Ombudsman must not publish the criteria in the form of the draft.

(4) If no such resolution is made before the end of that period, the Ombudsman must publish the criteria in the form of the draft.

(5) The 40 day period—

(a) begins on the day on which the draft is laid before the Assembly, and

(b) does not include any time during which the Assembly is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(6) Subsection (3) does not prevent new draft criteria from being laid before the Assembly.

(7) Before laying the draft criteria before the Assembly, the Ombudsman must consult—

(a) the Welsh Ministers,

(b) the listed authorities in Schedule 3, and

(c) such other persons as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(8) The Ombudsman must, in preparing the draft criteria to be laid before the Assembly, have regard to any representations made during the consultation mentioned in subsection (7).

(9) The criteria come into force when they are published by the Ombudsman.

(10) The Ombudsman may from time to time revise and re-publish the criteria.

(11) If, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, revisions made under subsection (10) effect any material change to the criteria, the Ombudsman must lay a draft of those revisions before the Assembly.

(12) Subsections (3) to (9) apply to draft revisions laid before the Assembly under subsection (11) as they apply to the first criteria.

(13) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend the criteria published by the Ombudsman under this section by adding criteria, removing criteria or changing the criteria.

(14) Where the Welsh Ministers make regulations under subsection (13), the Ombudsman must publish the criteria, as amended by the regulations, on the day the regulations come into force.

(15) Before making regulations under subsection (13), the Welsh Ministers must consult—

(a) the Ombudsman,

(b) the listed authorities in Schedule 3, and

(c) such other persons as the Welsh Ministers think appropriate.

(16) No regulations are to be made under subsection (13) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

6 Alternative resolution of matters

(1) The Ombudsman may take any action the Ombudsman thinks appropriate with a view to resolving a matter which the Ombudsman has power to investigate under this Part.

(2) The Ombudsman may take action under this section in addition to or instead of conducting an investigation.

(3) Any action under this section must be taken in private.

Complaints

7 Who can complain

(1) The persons entitled to make a complaint to the Ombudsman under this Part are—

(a) a member of the public (in this Part referred to as “the person aggrieved”) who claims or claimed to have sustained injustice or hardship in consequence of a matter which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under sections 11 to 16,

(b) a person authorised in writing by the person aggrieved to act on that person’s behalf, or

(c) if the person aggrieved is not capable of authorising such a person (for example because the person aggrieved has died), a person who appears to the Ombudsman to be appropriate to act on behalf of the person aggrieved.

(2) “Member of the public” means any person other than a listed authority acting in its capacity as such.

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine any question of whether a person is entitled under this section to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

8 Requirements: complaints made to the Ombudsman

(1) The requirements mentioned in section 3(2)(b) are that the complaint must—

(a) be in a form specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(b) contain such information as specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(c) be made to the Ombudsman before the end of the period of one year starting on the day on which the person aggrieved first had notice of the matter alleged in the complaint.

(2) The Ombudsman must publish the guidance referred to in subsection (1).

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine any question of whether the requirements of subsection (1) are met in respect of a complaint.

(4) If a complaint which meets the requirements of subsection (1) is made other than in writing, the Ombudsman must—

(a) explain to the person who made the complaint that a complaint has been duly made under this Act and the implications of making such a complaint, and

(b) ask the person whether the person wishes the complaint to continue to be treated as a complaint that has been duly made.

(5) If the person does not wish the complaint to continue to be treated as being duly made, the Ombudsman—

(a) must not use the power in section 3(1)(a) to begin an investigation into the matter alleged in the complaint;

(b) may use the power in section 4 to investigate the matter alleged in the complaint.

(6) If the person wishes the complaint to continue to be treated as being duly made, the Ombudsman must ask the person whether the person wishes the complaint to be confirmed in writing.

(7) If the person wishes the complaint to be confirmed in writing, the Ombudsman must make such arrangements as are necessary for the complaint to be confirmed in writing.

9 Requirements: complaints referred to the Ombudsman

(1) The requirements mentioned in section 3(3)(b) are that the complaint—

(a) must have been made to the listed authority by a person who would have been entitled under section 7 to make the complaint to the Ombudsman;

(b) must have been made to the listed authority before the end of the period of one year starting on the day on which the person aggrieved first had notice of the matters alleged in the complaint;

(c) must be referred to the Ombudsman in a form and contain such information as specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(d) must be referred to the Ombudsman before the end of the period of one year starting on the day on which the complaint was made to the listed authority.

(2) The Ombudsman must publish the guidance referred to in subsection (1)(c).

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine any question of whether the requirements of subsection (1) are met in respect of a complaint.

10 Records of complaints

The Ombudsman must maintain a register of every complaint made or referred to the Ombudsman in respect of a matter which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under this Part.

Matters which may be investigated

11 Matters which may be investigated

(1) The matters which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under this Part are—

(a) alleged maladministration by a listed authority in connection with relevant action;

(b) an alleged failure in a relevant service provided by a listed authority;

(c) an alleged failure by a listed authority to provide a relevant service.

(2) The matters may relate to action taken before or after this Act receives Royal Assent.

(3) Subsection (1) is subject to sections 12 to 15.

(4) Relevant action is—

(a) in the case of a listed authority which is a family health service provider in Wales or an independent provider in Wales, action taken by the authority in connection with the provision of a relevant service;

(b) in the case of a listed authority which is a social landlord in Wales or a Welsh health service body other than the Welsh Ministers, action taken by the authority in the discharge of any of its functions;

(c) in the case of a listed authority which is a person with functions conferred by regulations made under section 113(2) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c.43), action taken by the authority in the discharge of any of those functions;

(d) in the case of a listed authority which is a listed authority by virtue of regulations under section 31(2) adding it to Schedule 3, action taken by the authority in the discharge of any of its specified functions;

(e) in any other case, action taken by the authority in the discharge of any of its administrative functions.

(5) A relevant service is—

(a) in the case of a listed authority which is a family health service provider in Wales, any of the family health services which the authority had, at the time of the action which is the subject of the investigation, entered into a contract, undertaken, or made arrangements, to provide;

(b) in the case of a listed authority which is an independent provider in Wales, any service which the authority had, at that time, made arrangements with a Welsh health service body or a family health service provider in Wales to provide;

(c) in the case of a listed authority falling within subsection (4)(c), any service which it was, at that time, the authority’s function to provide in the discharge of any of the functions mentioned in that subsection;

(d) in the case of a listed authority falling within subsection (4)(d), any service which it was, at that time, the authority’s function to provide in the discharge of any of its specified functions;

(e) in any other case, any service which it was, at that time, the authority’s function to provide.

(6) For the purposes of subsections (4)(d) and (5)(d), a listed authority’s specified functions are the functions specified in relation to the authority in regulations under section 31(2) as falling within the Ombudsman’s remit.

(7) An administrative function which may be discharged by a person who is a member of the administrative staff of a relevant tribunal is to be treated as an administrative function of a listed authority for the purposes of subsection (4) if—

(a) the person was appointed by the authority, or

(b) the person was appointed with the consent of the authority (whether as to remuneration and other terms and conditions of service or otherwise).

12 Exclusion: matters not relating to Wales

(1) The Ombudsman may not investigate a matter arising in connection with the discharge or provision by a listed authority of any of the authority’s functions or services otherwise than in relation to Wales.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the Welsh Government.

(3) To the extent that a function of a listed authority is discharged in relation to the Welsh language or any other aspect of Welsh culture, it is to be regarded for the purposes of subsection (1) as discharged in relation to Wales.

13 Exclusion: other remedies

(1) The Ombudsman may not investigate a matter under section 3 if the person aggrieved has or had—

(a) a right of appeal, reference or review to or before a tribunal constituted under an enactment or by virtue of Her Majesty’s prerogative,

(b) a right of appeal to a Minister of the Crown, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh Government, or

(c) a remedy by way of proceedings in a court of law.

(2) But subsection (1) does not apply if the Ombudsman is satisfied that, in the particular circumstances, it is not reasonable to expect the person to resort, or to have resorted, to the right or remedy.

(3) The Ombudsman may investigate a matter under section 3 only if the Ombudsman is satisfied that—

(a) the matter has been brought to the attention of the listed authority to which the matter relates by or on behalf of the person aggrieved, and

(b) the authority has been given a reasonable opportunity to investigate and respond to it.

(4) But subsection (3) does not prevent the Ombudsman from investigating a matter if the Ombudsman is satisfied that it is reasonable in the particular circumstances for the Ombudsman to investigate the matter despite the fact that the requirements of that subsection have not been met.

14 Other excluded matters

(1) The Ombudsman may not investigate under this Part a matter specified in Schedule 2.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend Schedule 2 by—

(a) adding an entry;

(b) removing an entry;

(c) changing an entry.

(3) Before making regulations under subsection (2), the Welsh Ministers must consult the Ombudsman.

(4) No regulations are to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(5) Subsection (1) does not prevent the Ombudsman from investigating action of a listed authority in operating a procedure established to examine complaints or review decisions.

15 Decisions taken without maladministration

(1) The Ombudsman may not question the merits of a decision taken without maladministration by a listed authority in the exercise of a discretion.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the merits of a decision to the extent that the decision was taken in consequence of the exercise of professional judgement which appears to the Ombudsman to be exercisable in connection with the provision of health or social care.

Ancillary investigations

16 Power to investigate other health-related services

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Ombudsman has power under this Part to investigate—

(i) alleged maladministration by a relevant listed authority in connection with relevant action taken by the authority in relation to a person,

(ii) an alleged failure in a relevant service provided to a person by a relevant listed authority, or

(iii) an alleged failure by a relevant listed authority to provide a relevant service to a person, and

(b) a health-related service which is not a relevant service has also been provided to the person.

(2) If the Ombudsman considers that the alleged maladministration or failure cannot be investigated effectively or completely without also investigating the health-related service mentioned in subsection (1)(b), the Ombudsman may investigate that service as part of the investigation in respect of the relevant listed authority.

(3) If the Ombudsman does so, any reference to a listed authority in section 17, 18, 23(2)(b) or (7)(a), 27, 28(4)(b), (6)(c), (6)(d) or (9)(b)(ii) or 29(4)(a) includes, in addition, a reference to the person who provided the health-related service mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

(4) In this section—

• “health-related service” (“gwasanaeth sy’n gysylltiedig ag iechyd”) includes—

  (a)

  any medical, dental, ophthalmic, nursing, midwifery or pharmaceutical service, and

  (b)

  any other service which is provided in connection with a person’s physical or mental health,

  other than a special procedure performed under the authority of a special procedure licence (within the meaning of Part 4 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 (anaw 2);

• “relevant action” (“camau gweithredu perthnasol”) has the meaning given in section 11(4);

• “relevant listed authority” (“awdurdod rhestredig perthnasol”) means—

  (a)

  the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales;

  (b)

  a Local Health Board;

  (c)

  an NHS Trust managing a hospital or other establishment or facility in Wales;

  (d)

  a Special Health Authority not discharging functions only or mainly in England;

  (e)

  a Community Health Council;

  (f)

  an independent provider in Wales;

  (g)

  a family health service provider in Wales;

  (h)

  a person with functions conferred by regulations made under section 113(2) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health Standards) Act 2003 (c.43);

  (i)

  the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee;

• “relevant service” (“gwasanaeth perthnasol”) has the meaning in section 11(5).

(5) This section does not affect the Ombudsman’s power under section 19.

Decisions not to investigate etc

17 Decisions not to investigate or to discontinue investigation

(1) If the Ombudsman —

(a) decides not to begin an investigation, or to discontinue an investigation, into a matter under section 3(5), or

(b) where the Ombudsman has consulted a person under section 4(2)(c), decides not to begin an investigation, or to discontinue an investigation, into a matter under section 4(3)(a),

the Ombudsman must prepare a statement of the reasons for the decision.

(2) The Ombudsman must send a copy of the statement to—

(a) any person who made a complaint to the Ombudsman in respect of the matter, and

(b) the listed authority to which the matter relates.

(3) The Ombudsman may send a copy of the statement to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(4) The Ombudsman may publish a statement under this section if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

(5) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of a statement published under subsection (4), or any part of such a statement, to any person who requests it.

(6) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a statement, or part of a statement, under subsection (5).

(7) If a statement prepared under subsection (1)—

(a) mentions the name of any person other than the listed authority to which the matter relates, or

(b) includes any particulars which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, are likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the statement,

that information must not be included in a version of the statement sent to a person under subsection (2) or (3) or published under subsection (4), subject to subsection (8).

(8) Subsection (7) does not apply in relation to a version of the statement if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the statement.

Investigation procedure and evidence

18 Investigation procedure

(1) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation under section 3, the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the listed authority to which the investigation relates an opportunity to comment on any allegations contained in the complaint;

(b) give any other person who is alleged in the complaint to have taken or authorised the action complained of an opportunity to comment on any allegations relating to that person.

(2) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation under section 4, the Ombudsman must—

(a) prepare an investigation proposal, and

(b) submit the investigation proposal to—

(i) the listed authority being investigated, and

(ii) any person, other than the listed authority, who is identified in the investigation proposal in a negative way.

(3) But if—

(a) the Ombudsman has begun to investigate a matter under section 3 or 4 (in either case, “the original investigation”), and

(b) the Ombudsman has begun another investigation into a matter (“the related investigation”) under section 4 that relates to the original investigation,

subsection (2) does not apply to the related investigation.

(4) An investigation relates to an original investigation if the matter investigated in the related investigation has a substantial connection with the matter investigated in the original investigation.

(5) Where the Ombudsman prepares an investigation proposal in relation to a matter, the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the listed authority being investigated an opportunity to comment on the investigation proposal;

(b) give any person, other than the listed authority, who is identified in the investigation proposal in a negative way, an opportunity to comment on the investigation proposal (as far as the investigation proposal relates to that person).

(6) Where the Ombudsman has begun a related investigation into a matter and no investigation proposal is prepared by virtue of subsection (3), the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the listed authority an opportunity to comment on the related investigation;

(b) give any person, other than the listed authority, who is identified by the Ombudsman in relation to the related investigation in a negative way, an opportunity to comment on the related investigation (as far as the related investigation relates to that person).

(7) An investigation proposal must set out—

(a) he reasons for the investigation, and

(b) how the criteria published under section 5 have been met.

(8) An investigation must be conducted in private.

(9) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the procedure for conducting an investigation under section 3 or 4 is to be such as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(10) In particular, the Ombudsman may—

(a) make such inquiries as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate;

(b) determine whether any person may be represented in the investigation by an authorised person or otherwise.

(11) In subsection (10) “authorised person” means a person who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007 (c.29), is an authorised person in relation to an activity which constitutes the exercise of a right of audience or the conduct of litigation (within the meaning of that Act).

(12) The Ombudsman may pay to any person who attends or supplies information for the purposes of the investigation—

(a) such sums as the Ombudsman may determine in respect of expenses properly incurred by the person, and

(b) such allowances as the Ombudsman may determine by way of compensation for the loss of the person’s time,

subject to such conditions as the Ombudsman may determine.

(13) The Ombudsman must publish the procedure that the Ombudsman will follow when conducting an investigation under section 3 or 4.

(14) The conduct of an investigation in respect of a listed authority does not affect—

(a) the validity of any action taken by the listed authority, or

(b) any power or duty of the listed authority to take further action with respect to any matter under investigation.

19 Information, documents, evidence and facilities

(1) This section applies in relation to investigations conducted under this Part.

(2) For the purposes of an investigation the Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to the investigation to do so.

(3) For the purposes of an investigation the Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court in respect of—

(a) the attendance and examination of witnesses (including the administration of oaths and affirmations and the examination of witnesses abroad), and

(b) the production of documents.

(4) For the purposes of an investigation the Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to the investigation to provide any facility the Ombudsman may reasonably require.

(5) Subject to subsection (7), no person is to be compelled for the purposes of an investigation to give any evidence or produce any document which the person could not be compelled to give or produce in civil proceedings before the High Court.

(6) No obligation to maintain secrecy or other restriction on the disclosure of information obtained by or supplied to persons in Her Majesty’s service, whether imposed by any enactment or rule of law, is to apply to the disclosure of information for the purposes of an investigation.

(7) The Crown is not entitled in relation to an investigation to any privilege in respect of the production of documents or the giving of evidence that would otherwise be allowed by law in legal proceedings.

20 Obstruction and contempt

(1) If the Ombudsman is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to a person, the Ombudsman may issue a certificate to that effect to the High Court.

(2) The condition is that the person—

(a) without lawful excuse, has obstructed the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions under this Part, or

(b) has done an act in relation to an investigation which, if the investigation were proceedings in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court.

(3) But the condition in subsection (2) is not met in relation to a person merely because the person has taken action such as is mentioned in section 18(14).

(4) If the Ombudsman issues a certificate under subsection (1), the High Court may inquire into the matter.

(5) If the High Court is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to the person, it may deal with the person in any manner in which it could have if the person had committed contempt in relation to the High Court.

21 Obstruction and contempt: costs recovery

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Ombudsman investigates a health-related service as part of an investigation in respect of a relevant listed authority under section 16(2), and

(b) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met.

(2) The condition is that the provider of the health-related service (“the provider”)—

(a) without lawful excuse, has obstructed the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions under this Part, or

(b) has done an act in relation to the investigation which, if the investigation were proceedings in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court.

(3) The condition in subsection (2) is not met in relation to a provider merely because the provider has taken action of the kind mentioned in section 18(14)(b).

(4) The Ombudsman may serve a notice (a “costs recovery notice”) on the provider requiring the provider to pay the Ombudsman costs incurred by the Ombudsman as a result of the obstruction or act mentioned in subsection (2).

(5) The costs referred to in subsection (4) may include (but are not limited to) the costs of obtaining expert advice (including legal advice).

(6) A costs recovery notice must—

(a) set out the basis on which the notice is issued, including details of the obstruction or act which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, meets the condition in subsection⁠ (2),

(b) specify the amount that must be paid to the Ombudsman, together with a detailed breakdown of the amount,

(c) specify—

(i) the date by which payment must be made, and

(ii) how payment may be made, and

(d) explain the right of appeal in subsection (9).

(7) The payment date specified under subsection (6)(c) must be at least 28 days later than the date on which the costs recovery notice is served on the provider.

(8) The provider must pay the Ombudsman the amount specified in the costs recovery notice by the date specified in that notice (but this is subject to the remaining provisions of this section).

(9) The provider may appeal to the magistrates’ court against a costs recovery notice within 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice is served on the provider; and where the provider does so, subsection (8) does not apply (but see subsections (15) and (16)).

(10) An appeal is to be by way of a complaint for an order that the notice be quashed or varied, and in accordance with the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 (c.43).

(11) For the purpose of the time limit for making an appeal, the making of a complaint is to be treated as the making of an appeal.

(12) The grounds for appeal are that the Ombudsman‘s decision to issue the costs recovery notice was—

(a) based on an error of fact,

(b) wrong in law, or

(c) unreasonable for any reason.

(13) On appeal, the magistrates’ court may—

(a) confirm, quash or vary the costs recovery notice, and

(b) make such order as to costs as it thinks fit.

(14) Where, on appeal, the magistrates’ court quashes or varies the costs recovery notice, it may order the Ombudsman to compensate the provider for loss suffered as a result of the service of the notice.

(15) Where, on appeal, the magistrates’ court confirms the costs recovery notice (with or without variation), the provider must pay the amount payable by virtue of the notice within 28 days beginning with the date on which the appeal is finally determined.

(16) Where an appeal made under this section is withdrawn, the provider must pay the amount specified in the costs recovery notice within 28 days beginning with the date on which the appeal is withdrawn.

(17) An amount payable under this section is recoverable summarily as a civil debt.

(18) In this section, “health-related service” has the same meaning as in section 16.

22 Serving a costs recovery notice

(1) This section applies to the service of a costs recovery notice under section 21.

(2) The costs recovery notice may be served on a person—

(a) by being delivered personally to the person,

(b) by leaving it at the person’s proper address,

(c) by being sent by post to the person’s proper address, or

(d) where subsection (3) applies, by sending it electronically to an address provided for that purpose.

(3) This subsection applies where the person to whom the costs recovery notice is to be issued has agreed in writing that it may be sent electronically.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a costs recovery notice may be delivered personally to a body corporate by giving it to the secretary or clerk of that body.

(5) Where the Ombudsman serves a costs recovery notice in the manner mentioned in subsection (2)(b), the costs recovery notice is to be treated as having been received at the time it was left at the person’s proper address unless the contrary is shown.

(6) For the purposes of subsections (2)(b) and (c), the proper address of a person is—

(a) in the case of a body corporate, the address of the registered or principal office of the body;

(b) in the case of a person acting in their capacity as a partner in a partnership, the address of the principal office of the partnership;

(c) in any other case, the last known address of the person.

(7) Where the Ombudsman serves a costs recovery notice in the manner mentioned in subsection (2)(c) by sending it to an address in the United Kingdom, the costs recovery notice is to be treated as having been received 48 hours after it is sent unless the contrary is shown.

(8) Where the Ombudsman serves a costs recovery notice in the manner mentioned in subsection (2)(d), the costs recovery notice is to be treated as having been received 48 hours after it is sent unless the contrary is shown.

Reports of investigations

23 Reports of investigations

(1) The Ombudsman must, after conducting an investigation—

(a) prepare a report on the Ombudsman’s findings, and

(b) send a copy of the report to the persons listed in subsection (2),

but this is subject to section 27.

(2) The persons referred to in subsection (1)(b) are—

(a) if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint;

(b) the listed authority to which the report relates;

(c) any other person who is alleged in the complaint (if any) to have taken or authorised the action complained of or is identified in the report by the Ombudsman in a negative way;

(d) if the listed authority is a family health service provider in Wales—

(i) any Local Health Board with whom the authority had, at the time of the action which is the subject of the investigation, entered into a contract to provide the family health services which are under investigation;

(ii) any person to whom the authority had, at that time, undertaken to provide those services;

(iii) any person with whom the authority had, at that time, made arrangements for the provision of those services;

(e) if the listed authority is an independent provider in Wales—

(i) any Welsh health service body with whom the authority had, at the time of the action which is the subject of the investigation, made arrangements for the provision of the services under investigation;

(ii) any family health service provider in Wales with whom the authority had, at that time, made arrangements for the provision of those services;

(f) the First Minister for Wales (unless the listed authority is itself the Welsh Government or is a local authority in Wales).

(3) The Ombudsman may send a copy of the report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(4) The Ombudsman may publish a report prepared under this section if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

(5) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of a report published under subsection (4), or any part of such a report, to any person who requests it.

(6) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a report, or part of a report, under subsection (5).

(7) If a report prepared under this section—

(a) mentions the name of any person other than the listed authority in respect of which the report was made, or

(b) includes any particulars which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, are likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the report,

that information must not be included in a version of the report sent to a person under subsection (1)(b) or (3) or published under subsection (4), subject to subsection (8).

(8) Subsection (7) does not apply in relation to a version of the report if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the report.

24 Publicising reports

(1) If a listed authority receives a copy of a report under section 23(1)(b), the authority must make copies of that version of the report available for a period of at least three weeks—

(a) at one or more of the authority’s offices, and

(b) if the authority has a website, on the website.

(2) Throughout that period of three weeks, any person may—

(a) inspect the copy of the report at the office or offices concerned at any reasonable time without payment;

(b) make a copy of the report or any part of it at any reasonable time without payment;

(c) require the listed authority to supply the person with a copy of the report or any part of it, on payment of a reasonable sum if requested;

(d) view the copy of the report on the website (if any) without payment.

(3) Not later than two weeks after the copy of the report is received, the listed authority must ensure that a notice is published in a newspaper circulating in the part of Wales in which the matter which is the subject of the report arose.

(4) The notice must specify—

(a) the date on which the period of three weeks referred to in subsection (1) will begin,

(b) the office or offices at which a copy of the report can be inspected, and

(c) the address of the authority’s website (if any).

(5) The Ombudsman may give directions to listed authorities with regard to the discharge of their functions under this section.

(6) Directions under subsection (5) may relate—

(a) to a particular listed authority in respect of a particular report, or

(b) generally to the discharge of functions under this section by all or any listed authorities.

(7) A person commits an offence if—

(a) the person wilfully obstructs a person in the exercise of a right conferred by subsection (2)(a), (b) or (d), or

(b) the person refuses to comply with a requirement under subsection (2)(c).

(8) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(9) The Ombudsman may direct that subsections (1) to (4) are not to apply in relation to a particular report.

(10) In deciding whether to give a direction under subsection (9), the Ombudsman must take into account—

(a) the public interest,

(b) the interests of the person aggrieved (if any), and

(c) the interests of any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

25 Publicising reports: health care providers

(1) If an investigation is conducted in respect of a listed authority which is a family health service provider in Wales, section 24 has effect with the modifications specified in subsections (2) to (4).

(2) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) A person who has received a copy of a report under section 23 by virtue of section 23(2)(d) must make copies of the report available for a period of at least three weeks—

(a) at one or more of the person’s offices, and

(b) if the person has a website, on the website.”

(3) The references to the listed authority are to be taken to be references to that person.

(4) The references to listed authorities, or to a particular listed authority, are to be taken to be references to persons, or a particular person, of the same description as that person.

(5) If an investigation is conducted in respect of a listed authority which is an independent provider in Wales, section 24 has effect with the modifications specified in subsections (6) to (8).

(6) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) A person who has received a copy of a report under section 23 by virtue of section 23(2)(e) must make copies of the report available for a period of at least three weeks—

(a) at one or more of the person’s offices, and

(b) if the person has a website, on the website.”

(7) The references to the listed authority are to be taken to be references to that person.

(8) The references to listed authorities, or to a particular listed authority, are to be taken to be references to persons, or a particular person, of the same description as that person.

26 Action following receipt of a report

(1) This section applies if, in a report under section 23 of an investigation in respect of a listed authority, the Ombudsman concludes that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship in consequence of the matter investigated.

(2) The listed authority must consider the report and notify the Ombudsman before the end of the permitted period of—

(a) the action it has taken or proposes to take in response to it, and

(b) the period before the end of which it proposes to have taken that action (if it has not already done so).

(3) The permitted period is—

(a) the period of one month beginning on the date on which the authority receives the report, or

(b) any longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

27 Reports: alternative procedure

(1) This section applies if, after the Ombudsman has conducted an investigation—

(a) the Ombudsman concludes that no person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship in consequence of the matter investigated, and

(b) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the public interest does not require sections 23 to 26 to apply.

(2) This section also applies if, after the Ombudsman has conducted an investigation—

(a) the Ombudsman concludes that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship in consequence of the matter investigated,

(b) the listed authority to which the investigation relates agrees to implement, before the end of the permitted period, any recommendations the Ombudsman makes, and

(c) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the public interest does not require sections 23 to 26 to apply.

(3) The permitted period is—

(a) a period agreed between the Ombudsman and the listed authority and, if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint, or

(b) if the Ombudsman thinks that no such agreement can be reached, the period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

(4) The Ombudsman may decide to prepare a report on the Ombudsman’s findings under this section instead of under section 23.

(5) If the Ombudsman decides to prepare a report under this section—

(a) sections 23 to 26 do not apply;

(b) the Ombudsman must send a copy of the report to—

(i) if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint;

(ii) the listed authority in respect of which the report was made;

(c) the Ombudsman may send a copy of the report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(6) The Ombudsman may publish a report prepared under this section if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

(7) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of a report published under subsection (6), or any part of such a report, to any person who requests it.

(8) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a report, or part of a report, under subsection (7).

(9) If a report prepared under this section—

(a) mentions the name of any person other than the listed authority in respect of which the report was made, or

(b) includes any particulars which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, are likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the report,

that information must not be included in a version of the report sent to a person under subsection (5) or published under subsection (6), subject to subsection (10).

(10) Subsection (9) does not apply in relation to a version of the report if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the report.

Special reports

28 Special reports

(1) The Ombudsman may prepare a report under this section (a “special report”) if subsection (2), (4) or (6) applies.

(2) This subsection applies if, in a report under section 23, the Ombudsman has concluded that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship in consequence of the matter investigated, and—

(a) the Ombudsman has not received the notification required under section 26 before the end of the period permitted under that section,

(b) the Ombudsman has received that notification but is not satisfied with—

(i) the action which the listed authority has taken or proposes to take, or

(ii) the period before the end of which it proposes to have taken that action, or

(c) the Ombudsman has received that notification but is not satisfied that the listed authority has, before the end of the permitted period, taken the action it proposed to take.

(3) The permitted period for the purposes of subsection (2)(c) is—

(a) the period referred to in section 26(2)(b), or

(b) any longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

(4) This subsection applies if the Ombudsman—

(a) has prepared a report under section 27(2), and

(b) is not satisfied that the listed authority has implemented the Ombudsman’s recommendations before the end of the permitted period.

(5) The permitted period for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) is—

(a) the period referred to in section 27(2)(b), or

(b) any longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

(6) This subsection applies if—

(a) a matter which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate has been resolved,

(b) in resolving the matter, the Ombudsman has concluded that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship in consequence of the matter,

(c) the listed authority has agreed to take particular action before the end of a particular period, and

(d) the Ombudsman is not satisfied that the listed authority has taken that action before the end of the permitted period.

(7) The permitted period for the purposes of subsection (6)(d) is—

(a) the period referred to in subsection (6)(c), or

(b) any longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

(8) A special report must—

(a) set out the facts on the basis of which subsection (2), (4) or (6) applies, and

(b) make such recommendations as the Ombudsman thinks fit with respect to the action which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, should be taken—

(i) to remedy or prevent the injustice or hardship to the person, and

(ii) to prevent similar injustice or hardship being caused to any person in the future.

(9) The Ombudsman must send a copy of a special report—

(a) if the special report is prepared because subsection (2) applies, to each person to whom a copy of the report under section 23 was sent under section 23(1)(b);

(b) if the special report is prepared because subsection (4) or (6) applies—

(i) to the person who made the complaint, if the investigation relates to a complaint;

(ii) to the listed authority in respect of which the report was made.

(10) The Ombudsman may send a copy of a special report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

29 Special reports: supplementary

(1) The Ombudsman may—

(a) publish a special report made under section 28;

(b) supply a copy of the published report or any part of it to any person who requests it.

(2) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a report (or part of a report) under subsection (1)(b).

(3) The listed authority in respect of which a special report is made must reimburse the Ombudsman for the cost of publishing a special report if requested to do so by the Ombudsman.

(4) If a special report—

(a) mentions the name of any person other than the listed authority in respect of which the report was made, or

(b) includes any particulars which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, are likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the report,

that information must not be included in a version of the report sent to a person under section 28(9) or (10) or published under subsection (1) of this section, subject to subsection (5).

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply in relation to a version of the special report if, after taking account of the interests of any person aggrieved and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the special report.

(6) Sections 24 and 25 (publicising reports under section 23) apply in relation to a special report under section 28 as they apply in relation to a report under section 23.

30 Special reports relating to the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales Commission

(1) This section applies if a special report is made in a case where the investigation was made in respect of the Welsh Government or the National Assembly for Wales Commission.

(2) The relevant person must lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

(3) In subsection (2) “the relevant person” means—

(a) if the investigation was made in respect of the Welsh Government, the First Minister for Wales, and

(b) if the investigation was made in respect of the National Assembly for Wales Commission, a member of that Commission.

Listed authorities

31 Listed authorities

(1) The persons specified in Schedule 3 are listed authorities for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend Schedule 3 by—

(a) adding a person,

(b) omitting a person, or

(c) changing the description of a person.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) adding a person to Schedule 3 may provide for this Act to apply to the person with the modifications specified in the regulations.

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (2), the Welsh Ministers must consult the Ombudsman and any other persons they think appropriate.

(5) No regulations are to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(6) Sections 32 and 33 contain further restrictions on the power in subsection (2).

32 Restrictions on power to amend Schedule 3

(1) Regulations under section 31(2) may not omit the Welsh Government or the National Assembly for Wales Commission from Schedule 3.

(2) Regulations under section 31(2) may add a person to Schedule 3 only if the provision made by the regulations would be within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

33 Provisions in regulations adding persons to Schedule 3

If the Welsh Ministers propose to make regulations under section 31(2) adding a person to Schedule 3, they must also specify in the regulations—

(a) whether all or only some of the person’s functions are to fall within the remit of the Ombudsman under this Part;

(b) if only some of the person’s functions are to fall within the remit of the Ombudsman under this Part, which those functions are.

34 Power to issue guidance

(1) The Ombudsman may issue to one or more listed authorities such guidance about good administrative practice as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(2) Before issuing guidance under this section the Ombudsman must consult such listed authorities, or persons appearing to the Ombudsman to represent them, as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(3) If guidance issued under this section is applicable to a listed authority, the authority must have regard to the guidance in discharging its functions.

(4) In conducting an investigation in respect of a listed authority, the Ombudsman may have regard to the extent to which the authority has complied with any guidance issued under this section which is applicable to the authority.

(5) The Ombudsman may publish any guidance issued under this section in any manner that the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, including in particular by putting the guidance in an annual or extraordinary report.

(6) Guidance issued under this section may contain different provision for different purposes.

(7) Subject to subsection (8), guidance issued under this section must not—

(a) mention the name of any person other than the listed authorities to which it is applicable or a listed authority which has been investigated under this Part, or

(b) include any particulars which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, are likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the guidance.

(8) Subsection (7) does not apply if, after taking account of the interests of any persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to include that information in the guidance.

Compensation

35 Compensation for the person aggrieved

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a complaint in respect of a matter is made or referred to the Ombudsman, and

(b) the complaint is one which the Ombudsman has power to investigate under this Part.

(2) The listed authority in respect of which the complaint is made may make a payment to, or provide any other benefit for, the person aggrieved in respect of the matter which is the subject of the complaint.

(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of this section that the Ombudsman has decided not to investigate the complaint, has discontinued an investigation of the complaint, has not yet completed an investigation of the complaint or has not upheld the complaint.

(4) The power in subsection (2) does not affect any other power of the listed authority to make the payment or provide the benefit.

PART 4 LISTED AUTHORITIES: COMPLAINTS-HANDLING PROCEDURES

36 Complaints-handling: statement of principles

(1) The Ombudsman must publish a statement of principles concerning complaints-handling procedures of listed authorities.

(2) A listed authority must—

(a) have a complaints-handling procedure, and

(b) ensure that any such procedure complies with the statement of principles.

(3) The Ombudsman must lay a draft of the first statement of principles before the Assembly.

(4) If, before the end of the 40 day period, the Assembly resolves not to approve the draft, the Ombudsman must not publish the statement of principles in the form of the draft.

(5) If no such resolution is made before the end of that period, the Ombudsman must publish the statement of principles in the form of the draft.

(6) The 40 day period—

(a) begins on the day on which the draft is laid before the Assembly, and

(b) does not include any time during which the Assembly is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(7) Subsection (4) does not prevent a new draft statement of principles from being laid before the Assembly.

(8) Before laying a draft statement of principles before the Assembly, the Ombudsman must consult—

(a) the Welsh Ministers, and

(b) such listed authorities and other persons as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(9) The Ombudsman must, in preparing the draft statement of principles to be laid before the Assembly, have regard to any representations made during the consultation mentioned in subsection (8).

(10) The statement of principles comes into force when it is published by the Ombudsman.

(11) The Ombudsman may from time to time revise and re-publish the statement of principles.

(12) If, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, revisions made under subsection (11) effect any material change to the statement of principles, the Ombudsman must lay a draft of those revisions before the Assembly.

(13) Subsections (4) to (10) apply to draft revisions laid before the Assembly under subsection (12) as they apply to the first statement of principles.

(14) In this section and sections 37 to 40, “complaints-handling procedures” means procedures of listed authorities which examine complaints or review decisions in respect of action taken by a listed authority where the matter in question is one the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under Part 3.

37 Model complaints-handling procedures

(1) The Ombudsman may publish model complaints-handling procedures for listed authorities.

(2) A model complaints-handling procedure (referred to in this Act as a “model CHP”) must comply with the statement of principles.

(3) The Ombudsman may publish different model CHPs for different purposes.

(4) Before publishing a model CHP the Ombudsman must consult such listed authorities or groups of listed authorities as the Ombudsman thinks fit.

(5) A model CHP may not, in its application to a listed authority—

(a) impose a duty on the listed authority if the listed authority lacks the necessary powers (other than by virtue of this Act) to ensure compliance with the duty;

(b) be inconsistent with any enactment (including any code, guidance, scheme or other document made under any enactment) that applies to the listed authority.

(6) The Ombudsman may from time to time revise and re-publish any model CHP; and in doing so—

(a) subsection (5) applies, and

(b) before re-publishing any model CHP, the Ombudsman must notify such listed authorities or groups of listed authorities as the Ombudsman thinks fit of any revisions to the model CHP.

(7) Where a model CHP is revised and re-published by virtue of subsection (6), section 38 has effect with the following modifications—

(a) any specification under subsection (1) of that section in relation to the model CHP continues in effect as a specification in relation to the revised and re-published model CHP,

(b) any other reference to a model CHP is to the model CHP as revised and re-published, and

(c) in subsection (3) of that section, reference to receiving notice of the specification under subsection (1) of that section is a reference to receiving notice of the revision under subsection (6)(b) of this section.

(8) The Ombudsman may withdraw any model CHP at any time.

(9) Where the Ombudsman withdraws a model CHP under subsection (8)—

(a) the Ombudsman must, before withdrawing the model CHP, notify each listed authority to which the model CHP is relevant that the model CHP will be withdrawn and when the withdrawal will happen, and

(b) on the day the model CHP is withdrawn—

(i) any specification under section 38(1) in relation to the withdrawn model CHP ceases to have effect, and

(ii) the duty in section 38(3) ceases to apply to a listed authority notified under subsection (9)(a), in so far as the duty arises in relation to the withdrawn model CHP.

38 Model complaints-handling procedures: specification of listed authorities

(1) The Ombudsman may specify any listed authority to which a model CHP is relevant; and must notify the authority accordingly.

(2) Where a model CHP is relevant to a listed authority by virtue of a specification under subsection (1), the authority must ensure there is a complaints-handling procedure which complies with the model CHP for the purposes of the specification.

(3) Where subsection (2) applies, the listed authority must submit its complaints-handling procedure to the Ombudsman, having taken account of the relevant model CHP, within six months beginning with the day the listed authority receives notice of the specification under subsection (1).

(4) A listed authority may, with the consent of the Ombudsman, modify the application of the model CHP which is relevant to it but only to the extent that is necessary for the effective operation of the procedure by the authority.

(5) The Ombudsman may revoke any specification under subsection (1) at any time.

(6) Where the Ombudsman revokes a specification under subsection (5)—

(a) the Ombudsman must, before revoking the specification, notify each listed authority to which the specification applies that the specification will be revoked and when the revocation will happen, and

(b) on the day the specification is revoked—

(i) the specification ceases to have effect, and

(ii) the duty in subsection (3) ceases to apply to a listed authority notified under subsection (6)(a), in so far as the duty arises in relation to the revoked specification.

39 Declarations of non-compliance

(1) Where a model CHP is relevant to a listed authority by virtue of a specification under section 38(1), the Ombudsman may declare that the complaints-handling procedure of the authority does not comply with the model CHP.

(2) Where there is no specification under section 38(1) in relation to a listed authority the Ombudsman may declare that the complaints-handling procedure of the authority does not comply with the statement of principles.

(3) The Ombudsman must publish a declaration under subsection (1) or (2) on the Ombudsman’s website.

(4) Before publishing a declaration under subsection (3), the Ombudsman must notify the listed authority to which the declaration relates—

(a) that the Ombudsman will make a declaration, including the Ombudsman’s reasons for making the declaration;

(b) of any modifications to the complaints-handling procedure that would result in the declaration being withdrawn.

(5) Where a declaration is made under subsection (1) or (2), the listed authority must revise its complaints-handling procedure and submit it to the Ombudsman, having taken account of the reasons given under subsection (4)(a) and any modifications specified in subsection (4)(b), within two months beginning with the day the declaration is published under subsection (3).

(6) The Ombudsman may withdraw a declaration of non-compliance made under subsection (1) or (2) at any time if the Ombudsman thinks fit.

(7) Where the Ombudsman withdraws a declaration under subsection (6)—

(a) the Ombudsman must immediately—

(i) notify the listed authority to which the declaration relates that the declaration has been withdrawn, including the reasons why the declaration has been withdrawn, and

(ii) update the declaration published under subsection (3) to reflect that the declaration has been withdrawn, including the reasons why the declaration has been withdrawn;

(b) the duty in subsection (5) ceases to apply to the listed authority, in so far as the duty arises in relation to the withdrawn declaration, as soon as the Ombudsman withdraws the declaration.

40 Submission of complaints-handling procedure: general

(1) A listed authority must submit its complaints-handling procedure to the Ombudsman if the Ombudsman so directs; and must do so within three months beginning with the day the listed authority receives the Ombudsman’s direction or such other period as the Ombudsman may direct.

(2) The time limits in sections 38(3) and 39(5) are subject to any time limits that apply in a direction given under subsection (1).

(3) When a listed authority has submitted its complaints-handling procedure to the Ombudsman under this Act or otherwise, the authority must provide such additional information in relation to that procedure as the Ombudsman may request; and must do so within such period as the Ombudsman directs.

41 Complaints-handling procedures: promotion of best practice etc

(1) The Ombudsman must—

(a) monitor practice and identify any trends in practice as respects the way in which listed authorities handle complaints,

(b) promote best practice in relation to such complaints-handling, and

(c) encourage co-operation and the sharing of best practice among listed authorities in relation to complaints-handling.

(2) A listed authority must co-operate with the Ombudsman in the exercise of the function in subsection (1).

(3) But the Ombudsman may not require a listed authority to co-operate under subsection (2)⁠—

(a) if the listed authority lacks the necessary powers (other than by virtue of this Act) to co-operate under subsection (2);

(b) if co-operating under subsection (2) requires the listed authority to act inconsistently with any enactment (including any code, guidance, scheme or other document made under any enactment) that applies to the listed authority.

PART 5 INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO OTHER PERSONS: SOCIAL CARE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

Application of this Part

42 Matters to which this Part applies

(1) This Part applies to the following matters—

(a) action taken by a care home provider in connection with the provision of accommodation, nursing or personal care in a care home in Wales;

(b) action taken by a domiciliary care provider in connection with the provision of domiciliary care in Wales;

(c) action taken by an independent palliative care provider in connection with the provision of a palliative care service in Wales.

(2) But this Part does not apply to—

(a) matters which may be investigated under Part 3, or

(b) matters described in Schedule 4.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend Schedule 4 by—

(a) adding an entry,

(b) removing an entry, or

(c) changing an entry.

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Welsh Ministers must consult the Ombudsman.

(5) No regulations are to be made under subsection (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(6) For the meaning of the following terms see sections 62 to 64—

• “care home” (“cartref gofal”);

• “care home provider” (“darparwr cartref gofal”);

• “domiciliary care” (“gofal cartref”);

• “domiciliary care provider” (“darparwr gofal cartref”);

• “independent palliative care provider” (“darparwr gofal lliniarol annibynnol”)

• “palliative care service” (“gwasanaeth gofal lliniarol”).

Investigation of complaints

43 Power to investigate complaints

(1) The Ombudsman may investigate a complaint about a matter to which this Part applies if⁠ the complaint has been—

(a) duly made to the Ombudsman, or

(b) duly referred to the Ombudsman, and

in the case of a complaint which relates to an independent palliative care provider, the condition in subsection (2) is met.

(2) The condition is that the independent palliative care provider has received public funding, within the three years before the date of the action to which the investigation relates, in respect of a palliative care service that it provides in Wales.

(3) In subsection (2) “public funding” means funding from—

(a) the Welsh Ministers,

(b) a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c.42),

(c) an NHS Trust, or

(d) a county council or county borough council in Wales.

(4) A complaint is “duly made” to the Ombudsman if (but only if)—

(a) it is made by a person who is entitled under section 47 to make a complaint to the Ombudsman,

(b) before the complaint is made—

(i) the matter to which it relates has been brought, by or on behalf of the person affected, to the notice of the provider to whom it relates, and

(ii) the provider has been given a reasonable opportunity to investigate the matter and to respond, and

(c) the requirements of section 48(1) are met in respect of it.

(5) A complaint is “duly referred” to the Ombudsman if (but only if)—

(a) it is made by a person who is entitled under section 47 to make a complaint to the Ombudsman, and

(b) the requirements of section 49(1) are met in respect of it.

(6) It is for the Ombudsman to determine whether the requirements of subsection (1) have been met in respect of a complaint.

(7) Where the Ombudsman determines that the requirements of subsection (1) have not been met in respect of a complaint because the requirements of subsection (4)(b), section 48(1) or section 49(1)(b), (c) or (d) have not been met in respect of that complaint, the Ombudsman may nonetheless investigate the complaint if—

(a) it relates to a matter to which this Part applies, and

(b) the Ombudsman thinks it reasonable to do so.

(8) It is for the Ombudsman to decide whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation (but see section 48(5)(a) for a restriction on the power to begin an investigation under subsection (1)(a)).

(9) The Ombudsman may take any action which the Ombudsman thinks may assist in making a decision under subsection (8).

(10) The Ombudsman may begin or continue an investigation into a complaint even if the complaint has been withdrawn (but see section 48(5)(a) for a restriction on the power to begin an investigation under subsection (1)(a)).

44 Power to investigate on own initiative

(1) The Ombudsman may investigate a matter to which this Part applies whether a complaint has been duly made or referred to the Ombudsman or not.

(2) But if the matter relates to an independent palliative care provider, the power in subsection (1) may only be used if the condition in section 43(2) is met.

(3) Before the Ombudsman begins an investigation under this section, the Ombudsman must⁠—

(a) have regard to the public interest in beginning an investigation,

(b) have a reasonable suspicion that there is systemic maladministration,

(c) consult such persons as the Ombudsman considers appropriate (but see section 66 for further duties around consultation), and

(d) have regard to the criteria for own initiative investigations published under section 45.

(4) Subject to the other provisions of this section—

(a) it is for the Ombudsman to decide whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation under this section;

(b) the Ombudsman may take any action the Ombudsman thinks may assist in making a decision under subsection (4)(a).

45 Criteria for own initiative investigations

(1) The Ombudsman must publish criteria to be used in determining whether to begin an investigation under section 44.

(2) The Ombudsman must lay a draft of the first criteria before the Assembly.

(3) If, before the end of the 40 day period, the Assembly resolves not to approve the draft criteria, the Ombudsman must not publish the criteria in the form of the draft.

(4) If no such resolution is made before the end of that period, the Ombudsman must publish the criteria in the form of the draft.

(5) The 40 day period—

(a) begins on the day on which the draft is laid before the Assembly, and

(b) does not include any time during which the Assembly is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(6) Subsection (3) does not prevent new draft criteria from being laid before the Assembly.

(7) Before laying the draft criteria before the Assembly, the Ombudsman must consult—

(a) the Welsh Ministers,

(b) the listed authorities in Schedule 3, and

(c) such other persons as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(8) The Ombudsman must, in preparing the draft criteria to be laid before the Assembly, have regard to any representations made during the consultation mentioned in subsection (7).

(9) The criteria come into force when they are published by the Ombudsman.

(10) The Ombudsman may from time to time revise and re-publish the criteria.

(11) If, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, revisions made under subsection (10) effect any material change to the criteria, the Ombudsman must lay a draft of those revisions before the Assembly.

(12) Subsections (3) to (9) apply to draft revisions laid before the Assembly under subsection (11) as they apply to the first criteria.

(13) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend criteria published by the Ombudsman under this section by adding criteria, removing criteria or changing the criteria.

(14) Where the Welsh Ministers make regulations under subsection (13), the Ombudsman must publish the criteria, as amended by the regulations, on the day the regulations come into force.

(15) Before making regulations under subsection (13), the Welsh Ministers must consult—

(a) the Ombudsman,

(b) the listed authorities in Schedule 3, and

(c) such other persons as the Welsh Ministers think appropriate.

(16) No regulations are to be made under subsection (13) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

46 Alternative resolution of matters

(1) The Ombudsman may take any action the Ombudsman considers appropriate with a view to resolving a matter which the Ombudsman has the power to investigate under this Part.

(2) The Ombudsman may take action under this section in addition to or instead of conducting an investigation.

(3) Any action under this section must be taken in private.

47 Who can complain

(1) The persons entitled to make a complaint to the Ombudsman are—

(a) a member of the public (referred to in this Part as “the person aggrieved”) who claims or claimed to have sustained injustice or hardship as a result of a matter to which this Part applies,

(b) a person authorised in writing by the person aggrieved to act on that person’s behalf, or

(c) if the person aggrieved is not capable of authorising such a person (for example because the person has died), a person who appears to the Ombudsman to be appropriate to act on behalf of the person aggrieved.

(2) “Member of the public” does not include a person acting in the capacity of—

(a) a care home provider,

(b) a domiciliary care provider,

(c) an independent palliative care provider, or

(d) a listed authority.

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine any question of whether a person is entitled under this section to make a complaint.

48 Requirements: complaints made to the Ombudsman

(1) The requirements mentioned in section 43(4)(c) are that the complaint must—

(a) be in a form specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(b) contain such information as specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(c) be made before the end of the period of one year beginning with the day on which the person aggrieved first has notice of the matter alleged in the complaint.

(2) The Ombudsman must publish the guidance referred to in subsection (1).

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine whether the requirements of subsection (1) are met in respect of a complaint.

(4) If a complaint which meets the requirements of subsection (1) is made other than in writing, the Ombudsman must—

(a) explain to the person who made the complaint that a complaint has been duly made under this Act and the implications of making such a complaint, and

(b) ask the person whether the person wishes the complaint to continue to be treated as a complaint that has been duly made.

(5) If the person does not wish the complaint to continue to be treated as being duly made, the Ombudsman—

(a) must not use the power in section 43(1)(a) to begin an investigation into the matter alleged in the complaint;

(b) may use the power in section 44 to investigate the matter alleged in the complaint.

(6) If the person wishes the complaint to continue to be treated as being duly made, the Ombudsman must ask the person whether the person wishes the complaint to be confirmed in writing.

(7) If the person wishes the complaint to be confirmed in writing, the Ombudsman must make such arrangements as are necessary for the complaint to be confirmed in writing.

49 Requirements: complaints referred to the Ombudsman

(1) The requirements mentioned in section 43(5)(b) are that the complaint—

(a) must have been made to the provider to whom it relates by a person who would have been entitled under section 47 to make the complaint to the Ombudsman;

(b) must have been made to the provider to whom it relates before the end of the period of one year beginning with the day on which the person aggrieved first has notice of the matter;

(c) must be referred to the Ombudsman in a form and contain such information as specified by the Ombudsman in guidance;

(d) must be referred to the Ombudsman before the end of the period of one year beginning with the day on which the complaint was made to the provider.

(2) The Ombudsman must publish the guidance referred to in subsection (1)(c).

(3) It is for the Ombudsman to determine any question of whether the requirements of subsection (1) are met in respect of a complaint.

50 Records of complaints

The Ombudsman must maintain a register of every complaint made or referred to the Ombudsman in respect of a matter which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate under this Part.

Decisions not to investigate etc

51 Decisions not to investigate complaints or to discontinue investigations

(1) If the Ombudsman—

(a) decides not to begin an investigation, or to discontinue an investigation, into a matter under section 43(8), or

(b) where the Ombudsman has consulted a person under section 44(3)(c), decides not to begin an investigation, or to discontinue an investigation, into a matter under section 44(4)(a),

the Ombudsman must prepare a statement of the reasons for that decision.

(2) The Ombudsman must send a copy of the statement to—

(a) any person who made a complaint to the Ombudsman in respect of the matter, and

(b) the provider to whom the matter relates.

(3) The Ombudsman may also send a copy of the statement to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(4) The Ombudsman may publish a statement under this section if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to do so.

(5) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of the published statement, or part of that statement, to any person who requests it.

(6) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a statement, or part of a statement, under subsection (5).

(7) The following information must not be included in a version of a statement sent to a person under subsection (2)(b) or (3) or published under subsection (4)—

(a) the name of a person other than the provider to whom the matter relates;

(b) information which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, is likely to identify such a person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the statement.

(8) Subsection (7) does not apply if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the statement.

Investigation procedure and evidence

52 Investigation procedure

(1) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation under section 43, the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the provider to whom the investigation relates an opportunity to comment on the investigation, and

(b) give any other person who is alleged in the complaint to have taken or authorised the action complained of an opportunity to comment on the allegations relating to that person.

(2) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation under section 44, the Ombudsman must—

(a) prepare an investigation proposal, and

(b) submit the investigation proposal to—

(i) the provider being investigated, and

(ii) any person, other than the provider, who is identified in the investigation proposal in a negative way.

(3) But if—

(a) the Ombudsman has begun to investigate a matter under section 43 or 44 (in either case, “the original investigation”), and

(b) the Ombudsman has begun another investigation into a matter (“the related investigation”) under section 44 that relates to the original investigation,

subsection (2) does not apply to the related investigation.

(4) An investigation relates to an original investigation if the matter investigated in the related investigation has a substantial connection with the matter investigated in the original investigation.

(5) Where the Ombudsman prepares an investigation proposal in relation to a matter, the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the provider being investigated an opportunity to comment on the investigation proposal;

(b) give any person, other than the provider, who is identified in the investigation proposal in a negative way, an opportunity to comment on the investigation proposal (as far as the investigation proposal relates to that person).

(6) Where the Ombudsman has begun a related investigation into a matter and no investigation proposal is prepared by virtue of subsection (3), the Ombudsman must—

(a) give the provider an opportunity to comment on the related investigation;

(b) give any person, other than the provider, who is identified by the Ombudsman in relation to the related investigation in a negative way, an opportunity to comment on the related investigation (as far as the related investigation relates to that person).

(7) An investigation proposal must set out—

(a) the reasons for the investigation, and

(b) how the criteria published under section 45 have been met.

(8) An investigation must be conducted in private.

(9) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the procedure for conducting an investigation under section 43 or 44 is that which the Ombudsman thinks appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(10) The Ombudsman may, among other things—

(a) make any inquiries which the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, and

(b) determine whether any person may be represented in the investigation by an authorised person or another person.

(11) In subsection (10) “authorised person” means a person who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007 (c.29), is an authorised person in relation to an activity which constitutes the exercise of a right of audience or the conduct of litigation (within the meaning of that Act).

(12) The Ombudsman may pay to any person who attends or supplies information for the purposes of the investigation—

(a) sums in respect of the expenses properly incurred by them, and

(b) allowances to compensate for the loss of their time.

(13) The Ombudsman may attach conditions to those payments.

(14) The Ombudsman must publish the procedure that the Ombudsman will follow when conducting an investigation under section 43 or 44.

53 Information, documents, evidence and facilities

(1) This section applies for the purposes of an investigation under this Part.

(2) The Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to the investigation to do so.

(3) The Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court in relation to—

(a) the attendance and examination of witnesses (including the administration of oaths and affirmations and the examination of witnesses abroad), and

(b) the production of documents.

(4) The Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to the investigation to provide any facility the Ombudsman may reasonably require.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), no person may be compelled to give any evidence or produce any document which the person could not be compelled to give or produce in civil proceedings before the High Court.

(6) The Crown is not entitled to any privilege in relation to the production of documents or the giving of evidence that would otherwise be allowed by law in legal proceedings.

(7) Where an obligation to maintain secrecy or other restriction on the disclosure of information obtained by or supplied to persons in Her Majesty’s service has been imposed by an enactment or rule of law, the obligation or restriction does not to apply to the disclosure of information for the purposes of the investigation.

54 Obstruction and contempt

(1) If the Ombudsman is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to a person, the Ombudsman may issue a certificate to that effect to the High Court.

(2) The condition is that the person—

(a) without lawful excuse, has obstructed the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions under this Part, or

(b) has done an act in relation to an investigation which, if the investigation were proceedings in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court.

(3) If the Ombudsman issues a certificate, the High Court may inquire into the matter.

(4) If the High Court is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to the person, it may deal with that person in the same manner as it may deal with a person who has committed contempt in relation to the High Court.

Reports about investigations

55 Investigation reports

(1) This section applies to investigations under this Part unless section 58 applies.

(2) The Ombudsman must, after conducting an investigation into a matter to which this Part applies—

(a) prepare a report on the findings of the investigation (“an investigation report”), and

(b) send a copy of the report to the appropriate persons.

(3) The appropriate persons are—

(a) if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint,

(b) the provider to whom the report relates,

(c) any other person who is alleged in the complaint (if any) to have taken or authorised the action complained of or is identified in the report by the Ombudsman in relation to the matter in a negative way, and

(d) the Welsh Ministers.

(4) The Ombudsman may also send a copy of the report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(5) The Ombudsman may publish the report if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to do so.

(6) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of the published report, or part of that report, to any person who requests it.

(7) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a report, or part of a report, under subsection (6).

(8) The following information must not be included in a version of a report sent to a person under subsection (3)(b) or (c) or (4) or published under subsection (5)—

(a) the name of a person other than the provider to whom the investigation relates;

(b) information which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, is likely to identify such a person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the report.

(9) Subsection (8) does not apply if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the report.

56 Further publicity for investigation reports

(1) The Ombudsman may arrange for a notice about an investigation report to be published⁠—

(a) in one or more newspapers, or

(b) by means of broadcast or other electronic media.

(2) The notice may, for example—

(a) provide a summary of the Ombudsman’s findings,

(b) specify an address or addresses at which a copy of the published report can be inspected during ordinary office hours and from which a copy of that report (or part of that report) may be obtained, and

(c) specify a website address at which a copy of the published report can be viewed.

(3) The provider to whom the report relates must, if required to do so by the Ombudsman, reimburse the Ombudsman for the reasonable costs of arranging the publication of the notice.

(4) In deciding whether it is appropriate to make arrangements under subsection (1), the Ombudsman must take into account—

(a) the public interest,

(b) the interests of the person aggrieved (if any), and

(c) the interests of any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

57 Action following receipt of investigation reports

(1) This section applies where the Ombudsman has concluded in an investigation report that any person has sustained injustice or hardship as a result of the matter investigated.

(2) The provider to whom the matter relates must consider the report and notify the Ombudsman before the end of the permitted period of—

(a) the action the provider has taken or proposes to take in response to the report, and

(b) the period before the end of which the provider proposes to take that action (if that action has not already been taken).

(3) In subsection (2) “the permitted period” means—

(a) the period of one month beginning on the date on which the provider receives the report, or

(b) a longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing (if any).

58 Reports: alternative procedure

(1) This section applies if, after the Ombudsman has conducted an investigation under this Part—

(a) the Ombudsman concludes that no person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship as a result of the matter investigated, and

(b) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the public interest does not require sections 55 to 57 to apply.

(2) This section also applies if, after the Ombudsman has conducted an investigation under this Part—

(a) the Ombudsman concludes that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship as a result of the matter investigated,

(b) the provider to whom the investigation relates agrees to implement, before the end of the permitted period, any recommendations that the Ombudsman makes, and

(c) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the public interest does not require sections 55 to 57 to apply.

(3) In subsection (2)(b) “the permitted period” means—

(a) a period agreed between the Ombudsman and the provider and, if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint, or

(b) if the Ombudsman thinks that no such agreement can be reached, a period specified by the Ombudsman in writing.

(4) The Ombudsman may decide to prepare a report on the Ombudsman’s findings under this section, rather than under section 55; and if the Ombudsman decides to do so, sections 55 to 57 do not apply.

(5) If a report is prepared under this section, the Ombudsman—

(a) must send a copy of the report to—

(i) if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint;

(ii) the provider to whom the report relates, and

(b) may send a copy of the report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(6) The Ombudsman may publish the report if, after taking account of the interests of the persons aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

(7) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of a report published under subsection (6), or a part of that report, to any person who requests it.

(8) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a report, or part of a report, under subsection (7).

(9) The following information must not be included in a version of the report sent to a person under subsection (5) or published under subsection (6)—

(a) the name of a person other than the provider to whom the investigation relates;

(b) information which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, is likely to identify such a person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the report.

(10) Subsection (9) does not apply if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the report.

Special reports

59 Circumstances in which special reports may be prepared

(1) The Ombudsman may prepare a special report under section 60 if case 1, 2 or 3 applies.

(2) Case 1 applies if—

(a) the Ombudsman has concluded in an investigation report that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship as a result of the matter investigated, and

(b) one of the circumstances in subsection (3) applies.

(3) The circumstances are that—

(a) the Ombudsman has not received the notification required under section 57 before the end of the period permitted under that section;

(b) the Ombudsman has received that notification but is not satisfied with—

(i) the action which the provider has taken or proposes to take, or

(ii) the period before the end of which the provider proposes to have taken that action;

(c) the Ombudsman has received that notification but is not satisfied that the provider has, before the end of the permitted period, taken the action that the provider proposed to take.

(4) In subsection (3)(c) “the permitted period” means—

(a) the period referred to in section 57(2)(b), or

(b) a longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing (if any).

(5) Case 2 applies if—

(a) the Ombudsman has prepared a report under section 58 by virtue of subsection (2) of that section, and

(b) the Ombudsman is not satisfied that the provider has implemented the Ombudsman’s recommendations before the end of the permitted period.

(6) In subsection (5)(b) “the permitted period” means—

(a) the period referred to in section 58(2)(b), or

(b) a longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing (if any).

(7) Case 3 applies if—

(a) a matter (which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate) in respect of a provider has been resolved,

(b) in resolving the matter, the Ombudsman has concluded that any person has sustained, or is likely to sustain, injustice or hardship as a result of the matter,

(c) the provider has agreed to take particular action before the end of a particular period, and

(d) the Ombudsman is not satisfied that the provider has taken that action before the end of the permitted period.

(8) In subsection (7)(d) “the permitted period” means—

(a) the period referred to in subsection (7)(c), or

(b) a longer period specified by the Ombudsman in writing (if any).

60 Special reports

(1) A special report must—

(a) set out the facts which entitle the Ombudsman to prepare the special report (that is, the facts on the basis of which case 1, 2 or 3 of section 59 applies), and

(b) make such recommendations as the Ombudsman thinks fit as to the action which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, should be taken—

(i) to remedy or prevent the injustice or hardship to the person, and

(ii) to prevent similar injustice or hardship being caused to any person in the future.

(2) If the special report is prepared because case 1 of section 59 applies, the Ombudsman must send a copy of the report to each person to whom a copy of the section 55 report was sent under section 55(2)(b).

(3) If the special report is prepared because case 2 or 3 of section 59 applies, the Ombudsman must send a copy of the report to—

(a) if the investigation relates to a complaint, the person who made the complaint;

(b) the provider to whom the report relates.

(4) The Ombudsman may send a copy of a special report to any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

(5) The Ombudsman may publish a special report.

(6) The Ombudsman may supply a copy of a published special report, or a part of such a report, to any person who requests it.

(7) The Ombudsman may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy of a special report, or part of such a report, under subsection (6).

(8) The following information must not be included in a version of a special report sent to a person under subsection (2), (3) or (4) or published under subsection (5)—

(a) the name of any person other than the provider in respect of whom the report was made;

(b) information which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, is likely to identify any such person and which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, can be omitted without impairing the effectiveness of the special report.

(9) Subsection (8) does not apply if, after taking account of the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, the Ombudsman considers that it would be in the public interest to include that information in that version of the special report.

61 Further publicity for special reports

(1) The Ombudsman may arrange for a notice about a special report to be published—

(a) in one or more newspapers, or

(b) by means of broadcast or other electronic media.

(2) The notice may, for example—

(a) provide a summary of the Ombudsman’s findings,

(b) specify an address or addresses at which a copy of the published report can be inspected during ordinary office hours and from which a copy of that report (or part of that report) may be obtained, and

(c) specify a website address at which a copy of the published report can be viewed.

(3) The provider to whom the report relates must, if required to do so by the Ombudsman, reimburse the Ombudsman for the reasonable costs of arranging the publication of the notice.

(4) In deciding whether to make arrangements under subsection (1), the Ombudsman must take into account—

(a) the public interest,

(b) the interests of the person aggrieved (if any), and

(c) the interests of any other person the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.

Interpretation

62 Meaning of “care home” and “care home provider”

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Act.

(2) “Care home” means premises at which a care home service, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2), is provided wholly or mainly to persons aged 18 or over.

(3) “Care home provider” means a person who is a service provider of a care home service within the meaning of Part 1 of that Act where the service is provided wholly or mainly to persons aged 18 or over.

(4) Action is to be treated as action taken by a care home provider if it is taken by—

(a) a person employed by that provider,

(b) a person acting on behalf of that provider, or

(c) a person to whom that provider has delegated any functions.

(5) Action is also to be treated as action taken by a care home provider if—

(a) that provider provides, by means of an arrangement with another person, accommodation, nursing or care in a care home in Wales for an individual because of the individual’s vulnerability or need, and

(b) the action is taken by or on behalf of the other person in carrying out the arrangement.

(6) “Care” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2).

63 Meaning of “domiciliary care” and “domiciliary care provider”

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Act.

(2) “Domiciliary care” means personal care provided in their own homes for persons who by reason of illness, infirmity or disability are unable to provide it for themselves without assistance.

(3) “Domiciliary care provider” means a person who carries on an activity which involves the provision of domiciliary care, but it does not include an individual who—

(a) carries on the activity otherwise than in partnership with others,

(b) is not employed by a body corporate or unincorporated association to carry it on,

(c) does not employ any other person to carry out the activity, and

(d) provides or arranges the provision of domiciliary care to fewer than four persons.

(4) Action is to be treated as action taken by a domiciliary care provider if it is taken by—

(a) a person employed by that provider,

(b) a person acting on behalf of that provider, or

(c) a person to whom that provider has delegated any functions.

(5) Action is also to be treated as action taken by a domiciliary care provider if—

(a) that provider provides domiciliary care by means of an arrangement with another person, and

(b) the action is taken by or on behalf of the other person in carrying out the arrangement.

64 Meaning of “palliative care service” and “independent palliative care provider”

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Act.

(2) “Palliative care service” means a service the main purpose of which is to provide palliative care.

(3) “Independent palliative care provider” means a person who—

(a) provides a palliative care service, and

(b) is not a Welsh health service body.

(4) Action is to be treated as action taken by an independent palliative care provider if it is taken by—

(a) a person employed by that provider,

(b) a person acting on behalf of that provider, or

(c) a person to whom that provider has delegated any functions.

(5) Action is also to be treated as action taken by an independent palliative care provider if—

(a) that provider provides palliative care by means of an arrangement with another person, and

(b) the action is taken by or on behalf of the other person in carrying out the arrangement.

PART 6 INVESTIGATIONS: SUPPLEMENTARY

Consultation and co-operation

65 Consultation and co-operation with other ombudsmen

(1) This section applies if, in making a decision under section 3(5), 4(3)(a), 43(8), 44(4)(a) or in conducting an investigation under Part 3 or 5, the Ombudsman forms the opinion that a matter which is the subject of the complaint or investigation could be the subject of an investigation by an ombudsman mentioned in subsection (7).

(2) The Ombudsman must consult that ombudsman about the matter.

(3) The Ombudsman may co-operate with that ombudsman in relation to the matter.

(4) Consultation under subsection (2), and co-operation under subsection (3), may extend to anything relating to a matter which is the subject of the complaint or investigation, including (among other things)—

(a) the conduct of an investigation into the complaint, and

(b) the form, content and publication of a report of the investigation.

(5) If the Ombudsman consults an ombudsman about a matter under subsection (2), the Ombudsman and that ombudsman may—

(a) conduct a joint investigation into the matter,

(b) prepare a joint report in relation to the investigation, and

(c) publish the joint report.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the ombudsman consulted under subsection (2) is the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

(7) The ombudsmen referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration;

(b) the Health Service Commissioner for England;

(c) a Local Commissioner;

(d) the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman;

(e) a housing ombudsman appointed in accordance with a scheme approved under section 51 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52).

(8) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (7) by—

(a) adding a person,

(b) omitting a person, or

(c) changing the description of a person.

(9) Regulations under subsection (8) may add a person to subsection (7) only if the person appears to the Welsh Ministers to have functions relating to the investigation of complaints.

(10) No regulations are to be made under subsection (8) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

66 Working jointly with specified persons

(1) This section applies if it appears to the Ombudsman that—

(a) there is a matter which the Ombudsman is entitled to investigate, and

(b) the matter is one which could also be the subject of an investigation by a person specified in subsection (2) (“specified person”).

(2) The following are specified persons—

(a) the Children’s Commissioner for Wales;

(b) the Commissioner for Older People in Wales;

(c) the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales;

(d) the Welsh Language Commissioner;

(e) where the matter relates to health or social care, the Welsh Ministers.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), where the Ombudsman considers it appropriate, the Ombudsman must—

(a) inform the relevant specified person about the matter, and

(b) consult the specified person in relation to it.

(4) Where the Ombudsman investigates the matter under section 4 or 44, the Ombudsman must—

(a) inform the relevant specified person about the matter, and

(b) where the Ombudsman considers it appropriate, consult the specified person in relation to it.

(5) Where the Ombudsman consults a specified person under this section, the Ombudsman and the specified person may—

(a) co-operate with each other in relation to the matter,

(b) conduct a joint investigation into the matter, and

(c) prepare and publish a joint report in relation to the investigation.

(6) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (2) by—

(a) adding or removing a specified person to or from the list, or

(b) varying a reference to a type or description of specified person for the time being contained in that subsection.

(7) No regulations are to be made under subsection (6) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

67 Working collaboratively with Commissioners

(1) This section applies if it appears to the Ombudsman that—

(a) a complaint, or

(b) a matter the Ombudsman is considering investigating under section 4 or 44, relates to or raises a matter which could be the subject of an investigation by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, the Commissioner for Older People in Wales or the Welsh Language Commissioner (the “connected matter”).

(2) If the Ombudsman considers it appropriate, the Ombudsman must inform the relevant Commissioner about the connected matter.

(3) If the Ombudsman considers that the matter is a matter into which the Ombudsman is entitled to conduct an investigation (the “Ombudsman matter”), the Ombudsman must also, if the Ombudsman considers it appropriate—

(a) inform the relevant Commissioner about the Ombudsman’s proposals for conducting an investigation, and

(b) consult the relevant Commissioner about those proposals.

(4) If the Ombudsman and the relevant Commissioner consider that they are entitled to investigate, respectively, the Ombudsman matter and the connected matter, they may—

(a) co-operate with each other in the separate investigation of each of those matters,

(b) act together in the investigation of those matters, and

(c) prepare and publish a joint report containing their respective conclusions in relation to the matters they have each investigated.

(5) If the Ombudsman considers—

(a) that the matter is not a matter into which the Ombudsman is entitled to conduct an investigation, and

(b) that it is appropriate to do so,

the Ombudsman must inform the person who initiated the complaint (if any) about how to secure the referral of the connected matter to the relevant Commissioner.

68 Working with the Auditor General for Wales

(1) If the Ombudsman considers it appropriate, the Ombudsman must—

(a) inform the Auditor General for Wales about the Ombudsman’s proposals for conducting an investigation, and

(b) consult the Auditor General for Wales with regard to the most effective way of conducting an investigation.

(2) If the Ombudsman consults the Auditor General for Wales under this section, the Ombudsman and the Auditor General for Wales may—

(a) co-operate with each other in relation to the matter to which the investigation relates,

(b) conduct a joint investigation into the matter, and

(c) prepare and publish a joint report in relation to the investigation.

Disclosure

69 Disclosure of information

(1) The information to which this section applies is—

(a) information obtained by the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of the Ombudsman’s functions—

(i) in deciding whether to begin an investigation,

(ii) in the course of an investigation,

(iii) in resolving a matter under section 6 or 46, or

(iv) in connection with a notification received under section 26 or 57;

(b) information obtained from an ombudsman mentioned in section 65(7) by virtue of any provision of section 65 or a corresponding provision in an enactment relating to any of those ombudsmen;

(c) information obtained from a specified person in section 66(2) by virtue of any provision of section 66 or 67 or a corresponding provision in an enactment relating to any of those specified persons;

(d) information obtained from the Auditor General for Wales by virtue of section 68 of this Act or section 29A of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3);

(e) information obtained from the Information Commissioner by virtue of section 76 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c.36) (disclosure between Information Commissioner and ombudsmen).

(2) The information must not be disclosed except—

(a) for the purposes of deciding whether to begin an investigation;

(b) for the purposes of an investigation;

(c) for the purpose of any function of the Auditor General for Wales;

(d) for the purposes of resolving a complaint under section 6 or 46;

(e) for the purposes of a statement or report made in relation to a complaint or investigation;

(f) for the purposes of any provision of section 65, 66, 67 or 68;

(g) for the purposes of proceedings for—

(i) an offence under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 (c.28) to 1989 (c.6) alleged to have been committed by the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or other person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions;

(ii) an offence of perjury alleged to have been committed in the course of an investigation;

(h) for the purposes of an inquiry with a view to the taking of proceedings mentioned in paragraph (g);

(i) for the purpose of proceedings under section 20 or 54;

(j) in the case of information to the effect that a person is likely to constitute a threat to the health or safety of one or more persons, to any person to whom the Ombudsman thinks it should be disclosed in the public interest;

(k) in the case of information to which subsection (3) applies, to the Information Commissioner;

(l) for the purposes of the Ombudsman’s functions under Chapters 3 and 4 of Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c.22).

(3) This subsection applies to information if it appears to the Ombudsman to relate to—

(a) a matter in respect of which the Information Commissioner could exercise a power conferred by an enactment mentioned in subsection (4), or

(b) the commission of an offence mentioned in subsection (6).

(4) The enactments are—

(a) sections 142 to 154, 160 to 164 or 174 to 176 of, or Schedule 15 to, the Data Protection Act 2018 (c.12) (certain provisions relating to enforcement);

(b) section 48 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c.36) (practice recommendations);

(c) Part 4 of that Act.

(5) Subsection (4)(a) has effect as if the matters to which it refers include a matter in respect of which the Information Commissioner could exercise a power conferred by a provision of Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c.29), as it has effect by virtue of Schedule 20 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (c.12).

(6) The offences are those under—

(a) a provision of the Data Protection Act 2018 (c.12) other than paragraph 15 of Schedule 15 to that Act (obstruction of execution of warrant etc);

(b) section 77 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c.36) (offence of altering etc records with intent to prevent disclosure).

(7) No person may be called upon to give evidence in any proceedings (other than proceedings mentioned in subsection (2)) of information obtained by that person as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b).

70 Disclosure prejudicial to safety of State or contrary to public interest

(1) A Minister of the Crown may give notice to the Ombudsman with respect to—

(a) any document or information specified in the notice, or

(b) any class of document or information so specified,

that, in the opinion of the Minister, the disclosure of that document or information, or of documents or information of that class, would be prejudicial to the safety of the State or otherwise contrary to the public interest.

(2) If a notice is given under subsection (1), nothing in this Act is to be construed as authorising or requiring the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of the Ombudsman’s functions to disclose to any person or for any purpose any document or information, or class of document or information, specified in the notice.

71 Protection from defamation claims

(1) For the purposes of the law of defamation, the following are absolutely privileged—

(a) the publication of a matter, in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions under this Act, by the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’ functions;

(b) the publication of a matter by a person in the discharge of functions under—

(i) section 24;

(ii) section 24 as modified by section 25;

(iii) sections 24 and 25 as they apply to special reports (see section 29(6));

(c) the publication of a matter in connection with a complaint or an investigation, in communications between—

(i) a listed authority, a member or co-opted member of a listed authority, an officer or member of the staff of a listed authority or another person acting on behalf of a listed authority or assisting it in the discharge of any of its functions, and

(ii) the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions;

(d) the publication of a matter in connection with a complaint or an investigation, in communications between—

(i) a care home provider, domiciliary care provider or independent palliative care provider, an officer or member of staff of such a provider or another person acting on behalf of such a provider or assisting it in the discharge of any of its functions, and

(ii) the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions;

(e) the publication of a matter in connection with a complaint or an investigation, in communications between a person and an Assembly member;

(f) the publication of a matter in connection with a complaint made or referred (or to be made or referred) by or on behalf of a person to the Ombudsman under this Act, in communications between—

(i) the person, and

(ii) the Ombudsman, a member of the Ombudsman’s staff or another person acting on the Ombudsman’s behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the discharge of any of the Ombudsman’s functions.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d)(i) a person is an officer of a provider if the person has control or management of a provider which is not an individual or the affairs of such a provider.

(3) In this section, reference to matters in connection with an investigation include matters in connection with the Ombudsman’s decision whether to investigate or not.

PART 7 MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

Welsh language standards

72 Authorisation to give compliance notice to the Ombudsman in relation to Welsh language standards

(1) In Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language Standards (No. 2) Regulations 2016 (S.I 2016/182 (W.76)) (“the 2016 Regulations”), insert in the appropriate place—

• “The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (“Ombwdsmon Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Cymru”)”.

(2) The amendment made by this section does not affect the power to make further regulations amending or revoking the 2016 Regulations.

Review of Act

73 Review of Act

(1) The Assembly must, as soon as practicable after the end of the 5 year period, prepare and publish a report on the operation and effect of this Act during the 5 year period.

(2) The Assembly may prepare and publish a report on the operation and effect of this Act at any time.

(3) In preparing a report under this section, the Assembly must consult such persons as it considers appropriate.

(4) In this section, “the 5 year period” means the period of 5 years beginning with the day this Act receives Royal Assent.

Application of the 2005 Act to certain investigations

74 Investigations commenced before sections 3, 4, 43 and 44 come into force

(1) Subsection (2) applies if the Ombudsman has commenced an investigation into a matter before the date on which sections 3, 4, 43 and 44 come into force and the investigation has not been determined by the Ombudsman or the matter has not been resolved by that date.

(2) On and after that date, the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c.10) continues to apply for the purposes of the investigation despite the other provisions of this Act.

General

75 Repeals, savings and consequential amendments

(1) The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c.10) is repealed.

(2) But—

(a) see section 74 of this Act (investigations commenced before sections 3, 4, 43 and 44 of this Act come into force);

(b) subsection (1) does not apply to—

(i) paragraphs 9(4) and 11(4) of Schedule 1 to the 2005 Act (which amend the Superannuation Act 1972 (c.11)) and section 1 of the 2005 Act (to the extent that it gives effect to paragraphs 9(4) and 11(4) of the 2005 Act);

(ii) Schedule 4 to the 2005 Act (which amends the Local Government Act 2000 (c.22)) and section 35 of the 2005 Act (which gives effect to Schedule 4 to the 2005 Act);

(iii) Schedule 6 to the 2005 Act (consequential amendments) and section 39(1) of the 2005 Act (which gives effect to Schedule 6 to the 2005 Act);

(iv) the extent that it would revoke any subordinate legislation (within the meaning of section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c.30)) made under the 2005 Act.

(3) Schedule 5 (which makes consequential amendments of primary legislation in consequence of this Act) has effect.

76 Functions of the Assembly

(1) The Assembly may by standing orders make provision regarding the exercise of the functions conferred upon it by or under this Act.

(2) Such provision includes, but is not limited to, delegating functions to a committee or sub-committee of the Assembly or the chair of such a committee or sub-committee.

(3) But the Assembly may not delegate functions conferred upon it by or under this Act other than the functions conferred by—

(a) sections 73(1), (2) and (3), and

(b) paragraphs 5 and 8(1) of Schedule 1.

77 Commencement

(1) The preceding provisions of this Act, and the Schedules to this Act, come into force in accordance with provision made by the Welsh Ministers by regulations.

(2) This section and sections 78 to 82 come into force on the day this Act receives Royal Assent.

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may—

(a) appoint different days for different purposes;

(b) make transitional, transitory or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of a provision of this Act.

78 Interpretation

(1) In this Act—

• “act” (“gweithredu”) and “action” (“camau gweithredu”) include a failure to act (and related expressions must be construed accordingly);

• “annual report” (“adroddiad blynyddol”) has the meaning given in paragraph 15 of Schedule 1;

• “the Assembly” (“y Cynulliad”) means the National Assembly for Wales;

• “care home” (“cartref gofal”) has the meaning given by section 62(2);

• “care home provider” (“darparwr gofal cartref”)has the meaning given by section 62(3);

• “co-opted member” (“aelod cyfetholedig”), in relation to an authority, means a person who is not a member of the authority but who—

  (a)

  is a member of a committee or sub-committee of the authority, or

  (b)

  is a member of, and represents the authority on, a joint committee on which the authority is represented or a sub-committee of such a committee,

  and who is entitled to vote on any question which falls to be decided at a meeting of the committee or sub-committee;

• “domiciliary care” (“gofal cartref”) has the meaning given by section 63(2);

• “domiciliary care provider” (“darparwr gofal cartref”) has the meaning given by section 63(3);

• “enactment” (“deddfiad”) means an enactment (whenever enacted or made) which is, or contained in—

  (a)

  an Act or a Measure of the Assembly,

  (b)

  an Act of Parliament, or

  (c)

  subordinate legislation (within the meaning of section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c.30)) made under—

  (i)

  an Act or a Measure of the Assembly, or

  (ii)

  an Act of Parliament.

• “extraordinary report” (“adroddiad eithriadol”) has the meaning given in paragraph 15 of Schedule 1;

• “family health service provider in Wales” (“darparwr gwasanaeth iechyd teulu yng Nghymru”) means—

  (a)

  a person who, at the time of action which is the subject of investigation under Part 3 of this Act, provided services under a contract entered into by that person with a Local Health Board under section 42 or section 57 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c.42);

  (b)

  a person who, at that time, had undertaken to provide in Wales general ophthalmic services or pharmaceutical services under that Act;

  (c)

  an individual who, at that time, provided in Wales primary medical services or primary dental services in accordance with arrangements made under section 50 or 64 of that Act (except as an employee of, or otherwise on behalf of, a Welsh health service body or an independent provider in Wales);

• “family health services” (“gwasanaethau iechyd teulu”) means services mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of the definition of “family health service provider in Wales”;

• “financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol”) means the 12 months ending on 31 March;

• “in writing” (“yn ysgrifenedig”) includes in electronic form;

• “independent palliative care provider” (“darparwr gofal lliniarol annibynnol”) has the meaning given by section 64(3);

• “independent provider in Wales” (“darparwr annibynnol yng Nghymru”) means a person who, at the time of action which is the subject of an investigation under Part 3 of this Act⁠—

  (a)

  provided services of any kind in Wales under arrangements with a Welsh health service body or a family health service provider in Wales, and

  (b)

  was not a Welsh health service body or a family health service provider in Wales;

• “investigation” (“ymchwiliad”)—

  (a)

  in relation to the Ombudsman, means an investigation under section 3, 4, 43 or 44 (and cognate expressions must be construed accordingly);

  (b)

  in relation to other persons, includes an examination, inquiry or review (and cognate expressions must be construed accordingly);

• “listed authority” (“awdurdod rhestredig”) has the meaning given in section 31;

• “local authority in Wales” (“awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru”) means a county council, county borough council or community council in Wales;

• “Local Commissioner” (“Comisiynydd Lleol”) has the meaning given in section⁠ 23(3) of the Local Government Act 1974 (c.7);

• “NHS trust” (“Ymddiriedolaeth y GIG”) has the same meaning as in the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c.42);

• “the Ombudsman” (“yr Ombwdsmon”) has the meaning given in section 2;

• “palliative care service” (“gwasanaeth gofal lliniarol”) has the meaning given by section 64(2);

• “the person aggrieved” (“y person a dramgwyddwyd”) in Part 3 has the meaning given in section 7(1)(a) and in Part 5 has the meaning given in section 47(1)(a);

• “publicly-funded dwelling” (“annedd a ariennir yn gyhoeddus”) means—

  (a)

  a dwelling which was provided by means of a grant under—

  (i)

  section 18 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52) (social housing grant), or

  (ii)

  section 50 of the Housing Act 1988 (c.50), section 41 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 (c.69), or section 29 or 29A of the Housing Act 1974 (c.44) (housing association grant);

  (b)

  a dwelling which was acquired on a disposal by a public sector landlord (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52));

• “relevant tribunal” (“tribiwnlys perthnasol”) means a tribunal (including a tribunal consisting of only one person) specified by regulations made by the Welsh Ministers;

• “social landlord in Wales” (“landlord cymdeithasol yng Nghymru”) means—

  (a)

  a body which was at the time of action which is the subject of a complaint under this Act registered as a social landlord in the register maintained by the Welsh Ministers under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52) (or in the register previously maintained under that section by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38), the Secretary of State or Housing for Wales);

  (b)

  any other body which at the time of action which is the subject of a complaint under this Act was registered with Housing for Wales, the Secretary of State, the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38) or the Welsh Ministers and owned or managed publicly-funded dwellings;

• “special report” (“adroddiad arbennig”) in Part 3 has the meaning given in section 28 and in Part 5 has the meaning given in section 60;

• “Wales” (“Cymru”) has the meaning given in section 158(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c.32);

• “Welsh health service body” (“corff gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru”) means—

  (a)

  the Welsh Ministers;

  (b)

  a Local Health Board;

  (c)

  an NHS trust managing a hospital or other establishment or facility in Wales;

  (d)

  a Special Health Authority not discharging functions only or mainly in England.

(2) For the purposes of the definition of “independent provider in Wales”, arrangements with the Welsh Ministers are arrangements with a Welsh health service body only to the extent that they are made in the discharge of a function of the Welsh Ministers relating to the National Health Service.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend the definitions of “family health service provider in Wales”, “independent provider in Wales” and “social landlord in Wales”.

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (1) or (3), the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they think appropriate.

(5) No regulations are to be made under subsection (1) or (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(6) Section 13 of the National Audit Act 1983 (c.44) (interpretation of references to the Committee of Public Accounts) applies for the purposes of this Act as it applies for the purposes of that Act.

(7) For the purposes of this Act, references to action taken by a listed authority include action taken by—

(a) a member, co-opted member, committee or sub-committee of the authority acting in the discharge of functions of the authority;

(b) an officer or member of staff of the authority, whether acting in the discharge of their own functions or the functions of the authority;

(c) any other person acting on behalf of the authority.

79 Former health care providers, social landlords, social care providers and palliative care providers: modifications

(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations provide for this Act to apply with the modifications specified in the regulations to persons who are—

(a) former family health service providers in Wales;

(b) former independent providers in Wales;

(c) former social landlords in Wales;

(d) former care home providers in Wales;

(e) former domiciliary care providers in Wales;

(f) former independent palliative care providers in Wales.

(2) “Former family health service provider in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time, provided family health services of a particular description, and

(b) subsequently ceased to provide services of that description (whether or not the person has later started to provide them again).

(3) “Former independent provider in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time, provided services of a particular description in Wales under arrangements with a Welsh health service body or a family health service provider in Wales,

(b) was not a Welsh health service body or a family health service provider in Wales at that time, and

(c) subsequently ceased to provide services of that description (whether or not the person has later started to provide them again).

(4) “Former social landlord in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time—

(i) was registered as a social landlord in the register maintained by the Welsh Ministers under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52) (or in the register previously maintained under that section by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38), the Secretary of State or Housing for Wales), or

(ii) was registered with Housing for Wales, the Secretary of State, the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38) or the Welsh Ministers and owned or managed publicly-funded dwellings, and

(b) subsequently—

(i) ceased to be registered as mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) (whether or not the person later became so registered again), or

(ii) ceased to own or manage publicly-funded dwellings (whether or not the person later did so again).

(5) “Former care home provider in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time, provided accommodation, nursing or care of a particular description at a care home in Wales (see section 62), and

(b) subsequently ceased to do so (whether or not the person has later started to do so again).

(6) “Former domiciliary care provider in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time, provided domiciliary care services of a particular description in Wales, and

(b) subsequently ceased to do so (whether or not the person has later started to provide those services again).

(7) “Former independent palliative care provider in Wales” means a person who—

(a) at the relevant time, provided a palliative care service of a particular description in Wales, and

(b) subsequently ceased to do so (whether or not the person has later started to do so again).

(8) “The relevant time” is the time of action which is the subject of a complaint under this Act.

(9) No regulations are to be made under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

80 Consequential, transitional provisions etc

(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make—

(a) such consequential, incidental or supplemental provision, and

(b) such transitory, transitional or saving provision,

as they think necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, any provision of this Act.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may amend, revoke or repeal any enactment (including any enactment contained in or made under this Act).

(3) No regulations are to be made under subsection (1) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

81 Regulations and directions

(1) A power of the Welsh Ministers to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this Act may—

(a) make different provision for different purposes;

(b) make consequential, incidental, supplemental, transitory, transitional or saving provision.

(3) A direction given under this Act—

(a) may be amended or revoked by the person who gave it;

(b) may make different provision for different purposes.

82 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019.