Ombudsman’s Determination

 Complaint Summary

Mrs H’s complaint against NHSBSA is about the decision that she was not eligible to take her benefits early under the Special Class Status (SCS) terms of the Scheme. Her complaint against  STH is that they gave her misleading information about her entitlement to continuing SCS status while on secondment on which she relied when deciding to retire.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

The complaint should not be upheld against NHSBSA because they correctly interpreted the regulation and, even though there was a delay in providing benefit figures, they have offered Mrs H an appropriate level of compensation for the non-financial loss she has suffered. The complaint against STH should be upheld but only to the extent of the significant non-financial loss she has suffered.