Ombuds Office

In problem situations or debatable decisions concerning interventions in the field of addiction Infodrog serves as an independent mediator for:

• service users as well as their families
• professionals
• residential addiction facilities
• outpatient addiction facilities
• harm reduction services
• municipalities and cantons

Please contact

Infodrog
Eigerplatz 5
Postfach CP 460
3000 Berne 14
Tel. 031 376 04 01
FAX 031 376 04 04
E-mail: office@infodrog.ch

Guidelines

1. Background
The ombuds function is a commission within the framework contract of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH and the Swiss Conference of the welfare Ministers of the cantons SODK.

2. Responsibility
In problem situations or debatable decisions concerning interventions in the field of addictions Infodrog serves as an independent mediator for

• service users as well as their families
• professionals
• representatives / staff from residential addiction facilities
• representatives / staff from outpatient addiction facilities
• representatives / staff from harm reduction services
• representatives / staff from municipalities and cantons

3. Tasks
Support in situations of conflict between the involved with a view to finding a friendly agreement to settle a difference.
Support of consulter in taking legal action.
To inform on ways of filing a complaint/appealing against a judgment.

4. Competences

• Infodrog has informatory, consultative, intermediary but no judicial function or decision-making authority.
• By the inclusion of Infodrog the consulter does by no means commit him-/herself to renounce the right of taking civil or criminal legal action.
• Infodrog's members of staff are bound by professional secrecy.

5. Reservations
In the interest of neutrality and independence in a conflict of interests (for example bias due to other functions of Infodrog staff) Infodrog withdraws.
Infodrog comments vis-à-vis a third party or the public only after having conferred with the consulter and with his or her express consent.

6. Compensation
Ombuds services provided by Infodrog are free of charge for the consulter/facility concerned.