The report, Care and compassion?, is based on the findings of ten independent investigations into complaints about NHS care for people over the age of 65 across England.

The ombudsman, which deals with serious complaints against the NHS, said the patients - aged over 65 - suffered unnecessary pain, neglect and distress.

These accounts present a picture of NHS provision that is failing to respond to the needs of older people with care and compassion.

This report tells the stories of ten people over the age of 65, from all walks of life and from across England. Many of them were people with energy and vitality, active in their retirement and well known and liked within their communities. Some were creative, while others took pride in their appearance and in keeping fit. One enjoyed literature and crosswords and another was writing a book.

While the ombudsman's report is only based on these 10 cases, the ombudsman said they were far from isolated examples.

Of nearly 9,000 complaints made to the ombudsman last year, 18% were about the care of older people. In total, it accepted 226 cases for investigation - twice as many as for all the other age groups combined.

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