Issue(s)

Accountability and governance

Parent department 

Parliament

Related documents

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Procurement Investigation (Dec 2014)

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) began a change programme in early 2012. Following an internal audit of costs associated with the programme, we noted concerns regarding the management of conflicts of interest in procuring services during the transitional period covered by the change programme. We published a report that confirmed we had found no evidence of material irregularity, or undue influence in procurements arising from conflict of interest. We did however note that, as a result of the issues noted in report, PHSO may be exposed to criticism that it had not exercised the expected stewardship and governance over public funds.

Impact: PHSO reflected our findings in the Governance Statement that was published in their 2013-14 Annual Report and Accounts, noting and responding to material weaknesses in procurement policy, practice and effectiveness. The Statement also included a Procurement Policy and Practice action plan with progress against this plan reported regularly to the Ombudsman and Audit Committee.