Mr McConnell will make the appointment

In Scotland, the local government ombudsman handles about 1,000 complaints a year, with a dozen or so resulting in a full investigation and report.

Health and central government complaints are still handled by the parliamentary commissioner at Westminster.

They are passed to him only by MPs and last year there were 268, of which 24 resulted in a full investigation.

In the field of health, the number of complaints about treatment received from the NHS in Scotland rose last year.

Poor dental treatment was top of the list along with allegations of NHS trusts mishandling grievances by patients.

Compensation power

In total, 215 complaints were made against NHS bodies and practitioners with 19 being investigated and 11 being upheld.

Although the powers of the ombudsman are limited, he or she can recommend compensation for patients.

In extreme circumstances cases can also be referred cases to the General Medical Council.

The overhaul is being proposed by Scottish Finance Minister Jack McConnell, who is also in charge of modernising government.

The "one-stop" complaints handling service has been welcomed by both the ombudsmen themselves and by the Scottish Consumer Council.