Windsor Regional Hospital isn't exactly sold on the idea of having an ombudsman specifically tasked with investigating hospital patient complaints.
Regardless, Regional Vice President of Patient Relations Monica Staley says it gives patients another avenue. "I don't know how much more an ombudsman can do, but I know that through our process here at Windsor Regional, we do a very robust, formalized process of addressing concerns, investigating," Staley says.
In 2014 Staley says both hospitals in Windsor received 172 complaints, down from 391 in 2013. "Most cases there may be concerns as simple as access to parking, access to health care, wait times, delays and maybe diagnostics or bookings," she says.
The ombudsman would deal with past and present patient complaints for hospitals and long-term care homes.
The Ministry of Health is asking for public input on the new position until the end of August.