A QUARTER of all cases now dealt with by Wales' Public Services Ombudsman relate to the NHS.

And while complaints relating to local authorities and other public service providers remained broadly the same during 2010/11, in the health service sector they rose by 10 per cent.

There were 41 complaints about Aneurin Bevan Health Board in the period since it was formed, in October 2009, to the end of March this year, out of 254 against health boards and NHS trusts Wales-wide.

During 2010/11, 161 complaints were lodged against Gwent's five local authorities, ranging from 12 against Blaenau Gwent council - the lowest out of 22 Welsh councils - to 66 against Caerphilly, the fourth highest.

Wales-wide, 967 complaints were made against councils, with 61 quick fix/voluntary settlements made. More than a third of all the complaints were judged too premature for the Ombudsman to take on, and almost 300 were deemed not worthy of investigation.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales considers complaints made by members of public that they suffered hardship or injustice through maladministration or service failure by an organisation under his jurisdiction. He also deals with complaints regarding alleged breaches of conduct by councillors.

Current Ombudsman Peter Tyndall wants to close what he sees as two loopholes regarding his powers, matters he will take up with the Welsh Government.

Currently, he can only investigate complaints by care home residents whose care is paid for by the state, and he wants to be able to have the same power in regard to complaints by people who pay for their own care home placements.

He also wants the power to investigate complaints against hospices, relating to the care and services they provide, as many of these receive public funding.