News Release: Former and current home care clients encouraged to contact Ombudsman

Mon, Apr 09, 2018

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OMBUDSMAN TO INVESTIGATE GOVERNMENT HOME CARE PROGRAM

Former and current home care clients encouraged to contact Ombudsman

Yukon Ombudsman Diane McLeod-McKay is launching a formal investigation into a complaint about the Yukon government’s home care program, delivered by the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS).

McLeod-McKay’s office recently received a complaint about the department’s processes for receiving and managing complaints about the home care program. After an initial examination of the complaint and the information currently available, she made the decision to conduct a full investigation. As part of the investigation, she will examine whether there are any systemic issues that led to the complaint. 

“To help us ensure that we have a clear picture of any issues that may exist in relation to the home care program, we are reaching out to people who are, or were, home care clients,” said McLeod-McKay. “In particular, we want to hear from former or current home care clients who made complaints to Health and Social Services about the program.”

Those clients are asked to contact the Office of the Ombudsman to share their experience. They may do this by phoning 867-667-8468 (or 1-800-661-0408 ext. 8468 toll-free). People may also share their experience by writing to:  Office of the Ombudsman, Suite 201, 211 Hawkins Street, Whitehorse, Yukon,  Y1A 1X3.

The Ombudsman is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly who resolves and investigates complaints about unfairness in the administration of programs and services by Yukon government departments. Most complaints are resolved informally without the need for formal investigation.

McLeod-McKay’s decision to conduct a formal investigation into the complaint in this case is based on the nature of the complaint and the need for persons who rely on home care to have access to a high quality complaints process that addresses their complaints and does so in a timely manner.

At the conclusion of her investigation, the Ombudsman has authority to make any recommendations she considers appropriate, if she finds unfairness in the Health and Social Services procedures for dealing with complaints about the home care program. 

For more information about the Yukon Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner, please go to www.ombudsman.yk.ca.

Contact:

Diane McLeod-McKay

Yukon Ombudsman

info@ombudsman.yk.ca

867-667-8468