UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Our complaint service will continue to operate, however, in line with directions from the Premier our staff will be working remotely.

This means we have closed our office to members of the public and we have cancelled all face-to-face meetings.

What we are doing

We are implementing a number of measures to prioritise the safety and health of staff in our Office and members of the public. This is a rapidly developing situation and we will update this information to advise you of any changes to our service.

How to contact us

• If you have a new enquiry or complaint about a health service provider, email us at health.complaints@ombudsman.tas.gov.au.
• You can use our online complaint form
• You can call us on 1800 001 170. You will be asked to leave a message and we will call you back.

Delays

We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible. There may be long delays in dealing with complaints due to health service providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for your patience.

Enquiries or complaints relating to COVID-19 testing or treatment

If you have a question about COVID-19 testing or treatment, we suggest you access the Tasmanian Department of Public Health guidelines (external link) and/or the Australian Government Department of Health guidelines (external link).

The Tasmanian Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent officer appointed by the Governor.  The Commissioner is also the State Ombudsman.

The Tasmanian Health Complaints Commissioner acts independently, impartially and in the public interest. The Commissioner's role is:

• To promote and protect the rights of consumers who use health services
• To help resolve problems between consumers and providers of health services
• To improve the safety and quality of health services in Tasmania

We look into complaints from individuals or organisations about the provision of health services in Tasmania in both the public and private sectors.

The Commissioner works directly with consumers and health service providers. His work includes:

• Managing complaints and enquiries
• Providing information, education and advice on health rights and responsibilities
• Encouraging and helping consumers to resolve complaints directly with providers
• Assisting providers to develop procedures for resolving complaints
• Maintaining links with health service providers and related organisations
• Working with public authorities that protect the rights of individual Tasmanians

Our services are free.