Ombudsman reopens probe into health complaints backlog

Iceland's Ombudsman for Althingi has initiated a new investigation into the lengthy processing times for complaints handled by the Directorate of Health. This move comes after the Ombudsman previously urged the Ministry of Health in 2024 to take immediate, concrete actions to reduce the backlog of cases.

The Ministry had provided an update on the situation, including additional funding and a plan for corrective measures. However, the Ombudsman has now requested a detailed account of the actions taken since the ministry's response last year. The focus is on whether these actions have led to improvements in how complaints are processed by the Directorate of Health.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman is seeking the Ministry's assessment of the current speed of complaint handling. The investigation will also ascertain if the ongoing issues have prompted further action from the Ministry and, if so, what those actions entail. The goal is to ensure timely and efficient resolution of complaints within the health system.