What does IVO investigate?

When a complaint is received by  IVO, we determine whether or not to investigate. It is the Patient Safety Act that governs what the IVO must investigate. For IVO to be able to investigate a complaint, you should submit it within 2 years of the incident occurring.

IVO investigates complaints of more serious incidents in healthcare where a patient has suffered permanent or unchangeable injury or a significantly increased need for care, or where the patient has died..

IVO also investigates complaints from patients who have been sectioned, i.e. are receiving compulsory healthcare, as well as events in the healthcare system that have negatively affected or threatened the patient's self-determination, integrity or legal position.