Statistics 2016-17

Introduction

In 2016-17, we received 5,586 complaints and enquiries, compared to 5,358 in the previous year, an increase of 4% in overall contact. We determined 5,508 complaints and enquiries, compared to 5,396 in the previous year. In 2016-17, 63% of the cases we investigated were about the health sector (up from 58% the previous year). These cases tend to be more complex because they often consist of multiple issues and may need specialist advice. We also began our new role as independent reviewer of Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) decisions (these statistics will be reported separately on our SWF website).

Other key figures

We gave advice, support and provided signposting on 1,404enquiries.

3,299 complaints were decided following detailed consideration pre-investigation.

We fully investigated 805 complaints.

The overall rate of upheld complaints dropped from 54% to 52%.

We made 1,379 recommendations for redress and improvement to public service.

The proportion of complaints that reached us before completing the organisation's procedure (premature complaints) dropped, from 31% to 28% (though as we outline in our explanation of terms, we changed how we record premature enquiries and complaints between 2015-16 and 2016-17).

2016-17 annual letters

The Ombudsman sends some authorities an annual letter about their complaint numbers.

• Ombudsman's letter for local authorities (PDF, 116KB)
• Ombudsman's letter for all health boards, prisons and water bodies (PDF, 115KB)