Experience of ombudsman at lev hasharon mental health center

This article describes the first Israeli experience of using an ombudsman in a psychiatrichospital (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.