Annual Ombudsman thematic lecture in Parliament to focus on mental health risks and concerns

Annual Ombudsman thematic lecture in Parliament to focus on mental health risks and concerns

Published July 06, 2026

The Office of the Ombudsman has announced that its annual thematic lecture will be held on 29 October 2026 in the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives under the patronage of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Carmelo Abela.

The announcement was made during a courtesy meeting between the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, and the new Speaker of the House at the start of the Speaker’s mandate.

The Speaker thanked the Ombudsman and noted that both Parliament and the Office of the Ombudsman have a role in improving the lives of the citizens.

The annual thematic lecture has become an important initiative of the Office of the Ombudsman. It provides a public forum in Parliament for reflection on good administration, accountability, human rights, and the quality of public service. Each year, the Office invites prominent international personalities, particularly from the ombudsman and oversight community, to share their experience and contribute to public debate on issues of national relevance.

This year’s lecture, entitled “Mental health risks and concerns: strategic goals and best practices for prevention, treatment and care”, will bring together three internationally renowned experts in mental health.

The keynote speakers will be Baroness Clare Gerada DBE of Kennington, Lead for the NHS Primary Care Gambling Service and former Medical Director of the NHS Practitioner Health Programme, Professor Sir Simon Wessely GBE FRS, Regius Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College London and a leading figure in psychiatry, epidemiology, military health research and mental health policy, and Dr Adrian James, former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity for NHS England.

The Speaker acknowledged the collaboration that exists between the Office of the Speaker and the Ombudsman, including in hosting the thematic lectures organised by the Ombudsman, adding that the theme selected for the upcoming lecture is one which is not only topical but also relevant to the citizens at large.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman considers the annual thematic lecture to be an important initiative that strengthens the institutional relationship between the Office of the Ombudsman and the House of Representatives.  It also serves as a platform for public servants, oversight bodies, academics, civil society and policymakers to engage with leading international experts, exchange knowledge and reflect on how public administration and public services can continue to improve for the benefit of the public.

The Ombudsman thanked the Speaker for the meeting and expressed his confidence that the positive institutional cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman and Parliament will continue to develop further in the years ahead.