Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about matters relating to her father, Mr Y’s, placement at the care provider’s care home. This is because she is not the most suitable representative to make the complaint.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about matters relating to Mr Y’s placement at the care provider’s care home.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We may investigate a complaint on behalf of someone who has died or who cannot authorise someone to act for them. The complaint may be made by:

• their personal representative (if they have one), or
• someone we consider to be suitable.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 26A(2) and 34C(2), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the care provider.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mrs X complains about matters relating to her father, Mr Y’s, placement at the care provider’s care home.
6. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because Mrs X is not the most suitable representative to make this complaint.
7. We told Mrs X we would need consent from Mr Y’s executor for her to make this complaint. Mrs X told us the executor will not provide consent. The executor was also appointed by Mr Y as his attorney when he was alive. The executor is the most suitable representative and so we will not consider this complaint without her consent.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because she is not the most suitable representative to make this complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman