The Ombudsman has received a record number of complaints.
2,873 complaints were made last year.
That is the highest number in 10 years.
Emily O’Reilly has described complaints made in relation to hospital treatment and social services as “shocking and deplorable”.
The Annual Report for 2009 was published today and details 2,873 complaints by people all of whom had felt that they had been treated badly or unfairly by public bodies.
Emily O’Reilly says some found themselves in desperate situations and were badly let down by the system.
She says one complaint from a woman about the care and treatment of her terminally-ill husband was especially distressing.
As was one relating to a psychiatric hospital in the Midlands where patients were experiencing disturbing ongoing and major deficiencies in conditions.
She says she can only describe these cases as ‘shocking and unacceptable’ and makes no apology in publicising them.
“It’s as if the HSE lives in a parallel universe” she said.
“So there is something rotten within that system” she added.
The Ombudsman Annual Report was submitted to the Dáil and Seanad this morning.
