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How to Complain to the Public Service Ombudsman (PHSO)

The Public Service Ombudsman, called the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman until 1 October 2026, looks at complaints about UK government departments and agencies, and the NHS in England, once you have complained to them first. For a government complaint your MP has to send it on, and we can post your letter to your MP for you.

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Quick Answer

Complain first to
The organisation
Government complaints
Through your MP
NHS complaints in England
Direct or through your MP
Time limit
12 months
Phone
0345 015 4033

The 12 months run from when you first knew about the problem. The Ombudsman has some flexibility on this.

Works on any computer, tablet or phone

Where to Send It

For a complaint about a government department or agency, write to your MP. To contact the Ombudsman itself, its online form or phone line is the usual route.

Your MP

Ask your MP to send a complaint about a UK government department or agency to the Ombudsman.

Your MP's nameHouse of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AA

Our Write to Your MP letter fills in this address for you.

Write to your MP

Public Service Ombudsman

All post to the Ombudsman goes to its Manchester office.

Public Service OmbudsmanCitygateMosley StreetManchesterM2 3HQ

The Ombudsman asks you to use its online complaint form or call 0345 015 4033. Paper forms are available. Do not send original documents.

Checked against the Ombudsman's website on 18 October 2026.

How It Works

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  1. 1Complain to the organisationComplain to the government department, agency or NHS organisation first, and keep its final reply.
  2. 2Write to your MPFor a government complaint, type your letter to your MP online. We address it to the House of Commons for you.
  3. 3We print it and post itOrder by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail. Your MP can then refer your complaint to the Ombudsman.

Complain to the Organisation First

The Ombudsman only looks at a complaint once the organisation has had the chance to put things right. Complain to the government department, agency or NHS organisation first, and keep its final reply.

Government Complaints Go Through Your MP

The Ombudsman can only consider complaints about UK government services if an MP asks it to. Write to your MP, explain what happened and how the department dealt with your complaint, and ask them to refer it to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's form for these complaints has a section for your MP to sign.

Ask your MP to send it within 12 months of when you first knew about the problem.

NHS Complaints in England

For complaints about the NHS in England, you can go to the Ombudsman directly or through your MP, within 12 months of when you first knew about the problem.

How Long It Takes

When we checked, the Ombudsman's website showed waiting times of up to eight months for both NHS and government complaints.

More Ways to Send

HMRC Postal AddressAddresses for tax questions and complaintsDVLA Postal AddressAddresses for licences, vehicles and complaintsDWP and PIP Postal AddressAddresses for PIP, complaints and requests

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Ombudsman can only consider complaints about UK government services if an MP asks it to. Write to your MP and ask them to refer your complaint.

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