An ombudsman is an official, usually appointed by the government, who investigates complaints against businesses, public entities, or officials, and attempts to resolve the conflicts or concerns raised, either by mediation or by making recommendations. They provide a channel for people to submit complaints against institutions without influence from the accused and conduct fair and unbiased investigations at no cost to the complainant, providing resolutions or mediation services
. Ombudsmen may be called by different names in some countries, including titles such as a public advocate or national defender. There are different types of ombudsmen, such as long-term care ombudsmen who assist residents in long-term care facilities with issues related to day-to-day care, health, safety, and personal preferences
. Organizational ombudsmen work with individuals and groups in an organization to provide a safe space to talk about an issue or concern and explore options to address it
. The role of an ombudsman may vary based on the specific organization or sector they serve, but their primary function is to address and resolve complaints in a fair and impartial manner.
