Third health body’s move to North West creates 150 jobs

AROUND 150 jobs are to be created in Manchester following the opening of the new Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) office.

The PHSO, which undertakes independent investigations into complaints about government departments and public bodies in the UK and the NHS in England, will open the city centre office in January next year.

The new premises, the first outside of London,  are being opened to cope with changes to the NHS complaints system, which comes into effect next April.

James Johnstone, director of customer services and assessment at the PHSO, said that one of the reasons the public sector organisation chose Manchester  was the high quality workforce and large number of graduates that the city region offers.

“We aim to attract a wealth of talented people to support the changes to the NHS complaints system,” he said.

MIDAS, Manchester’s Investment and Development Agency, assisted the PHSO in its move to the city by providing introductions, economic data and recruitment advice.

It also assisted with the ombudsman’s property search, arranging property visits and introductions and will also be able to offer further support to staff considering relocating from London to Manchester.

Colin Sinclair, chief executive at MIDAS said: “The PHSO is an important addition to the growing number of public sector agencies choosing Manchester as a base for relocation or expansion.

“They will benefit from the city region’s incredible graduate talent pool, close relationships with our world-class universities and high standards of hospitals and healthcare, as well as our excellent transport links to London and our cost-effective property offering.”

PHSO’s arrival follows relocations of other departmental health bodies including the General Medical Council and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.