Experience of Ombudsman at Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center
Sigal, M.; Kodesh, A.; Preisman, O.
Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences 37(2): 132-136
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0333-7308 PMID: 10994297 Document Number: 518310
This article describes the first Israeli experience of using an ombudsman in a psychiatric hospital (Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center, Pardesia). The Internal Ombudsman model was used. During a two-year period from 1997 to 1999, out of a total of 1,881 hospitalizations, a total of 71 complaints were received from 68 patients. Analysis of the appeals revealed that the following groups were over-represented: 1. Jewish patients; 2. Male patients; 3. Involuntary admissions. Arising out of our experience we would encourage the implementation of the Ombudsman in psychiatric hospitals.