Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Care Provider’s decision to increase nursing home care fees. The nursing home placement is funded by an Integrated Care Board. We cannot consider complaints which could be considered by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

The complaint

1. Ms B complains about the Care Provider’s decision to increase nursing home care fees where her father has been a resident for over two years. Ms B says the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) has funded the nursing home placement since January 2025 and the Care Provider decision to increase the care fees by 40% in April 2025. Ms B says there is a dispute between the ICB and the Care Provider, but the situation is placing stress on her family. She is concerned that if her father is forced to move from the nursing home this will have detrimental impact on his mental wellbeing and general health. Ms B wants the Care Provider and the ICB to come to an agreement which allows her father to remain in the nursing home as this is in his best interests.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as care providers funded by health bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Ms B received two responses to her complaint from the Care Provider about the situation relating to the dispute between it and the ICB. Both complaint responses confirm Ms B’s father’s placement is funded by the ICB.
7. We cannot consider Ms B’s complaint because the nursing home placement is funded by the ICB which is a health body. We cannot consider complaints which could be considered by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Ms B should complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint because we cannot consider complaints which could be considered by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman