What is the Ombuds Office?
The ombuds monitors and works to ensure compliance of the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration with relevant statutes, rules and policies regarding the civil rights of patients at the Behavioral Health and Treatment Centers, Child Study and Treatment Center, Eastern State Hospital, Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health, Special Commitment Center and Western State Hospital. The ombuds investigates complaints related to patients' rights and conducts independent, neutral reviews of program conformance with internal policies as they relate to patient rights. The ombuds also identifies systemic issues and makes recommendations for change or improvement.
What is the difference between the Ombuds Office and patient advocates?
The Ombuds Office is an independent and impartial reviewer of incidences and policy compliance working to ensure the protection of patient civil rights. The ombuds does not have oversight from the hospital, but rather reports to DSHS Office of the Secretary. The patient advocate is a hospital employee who works with patients to address day-to-day concerns and to ensure the patients have the most comfortable stay possible.
How do I contact the Ombuds Office?
Please note that our Ombuds only serve Washington state psychiatric patients at the Behavioral Health and Treatment Centers, Child Study and Treatment Center, Eastern State Hospital, Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health, Special Commitment Center, and Western State Hospital. If you need an advocate for a different hospital, please contact that hospital for assistance.
You may send your written request to:
Ombuds Office, ombuds@dshs.wa.gov
Contacts:
General and CSTC: Darrin Hall, Darrin.hall@dshs.wa.gov, 253-691-5293
ESH: Dawn Leach, dawn.leach2@dshs.wa.gov, 360-706-3904
BHTCs (Maple Lane campus and Steilacoom Unit) and SCC: Caitlin Robertson, caitlin.robertson@dshs.wa.gov, 253-625-3983
WSH, OHBH: Michelle Frasu, michelle.frasu@dshs.wa.gov, 360-819-0867