The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s provision of care to her late mother, Mrs Y. This is because any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council’s care provision to her late mother Mrs Y was inadequate, resulting in her suffering a pressure sore.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I will not investigate the complaint regarding home care provided to Mrs Y as any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement and there are no other good reasons to investigate.
Mrs X is concerned Mrs Y suffered a pressure sore due to inadequate care. Mrs Y has since passed so we cannot remedy any harm or distress she may have suffered at the time. And, while the circumstances may have distressed Mrs X as her daughter, this level of injustice would not justify an investigation.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman