Patient Ombudsman accepts complaints about patient experiences in Ontario’s public hospitals, long-term care homes, home care, and community surgical and diagnostic centres. We review and acknowledge all complaints that we receive. We review and acknowledge all complaints that we receive. We receive a high volume of complaints and appreciate your patience as we prioritize time-sensitive patient care and safety concerns.
Here’s what you need to know before making a complaint
We need to make sure we’re the right organization to help you. Review these questions and give us a call if you have questions about our service:
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Have you already tried to resolve your complaint with the health sector organization?
For complaints about public hospitals, long-term care homes, home care, or community surgical and diagnostic centres, your first step is to contact the organization. As an office of last resort, Patient Ombudsman reviews complaints after the organization involved has had a chance to respond to your concerns. For hospitals, this is the patient relations department. If you are not sure who to contact or how to contact patient relations, call us.
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Is your complaint about a family doctor or a walk-in clinic?
If your complaint is about the care or treatment you received from a doctor or a clinic that is not a community surgical or diagnostic centre (such as a walk-in clinic), Patient Ombudsman can help direct you to the appropriate person or place to resolve your concern.
Regulated health professionals, such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists belong to regulatory bodies called “colleges” that handle complaints against these health care providers. Check here for detailed information about Ontario’s regulatory colleges. For example, doctors (including specialists) in Ontario are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Looking for more information about Patient Ombudsman’s complaint process? Read What to expect when you make a complaint.
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