Conquest offers mum vouchers as compensation

She had asked for £3,000 compensation from Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT) for stress suffered.

The case is one of several highlighted in the annual report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham, which was published this week.

The mother, referred to in Ms Abraham’s report as Mrs G, first complained to the ombudsman over the delay in getting a care package drawn up for her daughter, who has severe epilepsy and a learning disability.

Ms Abraham said: “She said she had spent seven years trying to arrange appropriate care. We suggested that Mrs G meet with the trust’s chief executive and, following this, a nurse was appointed to care for her daughter three days a week.

“Mrs G was also promised a wheelchair and when this did not materialise, she brought the complaint back to us. She asked the trust for £3,000 compensation for the seven years of stress and inconvenience. The PCT offered her £500 in shopping vouchers.”

After the ombudsman intervened the PCT agreed to pay Mrs G £3,000 in compensation last year and provided her daughter with a specialised wheelchair.

Jamie Whitburn, spokesman for NHS Hastings and Rother, said: “We strive to deliver high quality services for local people. All complaints are taken extremely seriously, and handled in line with national guidance and procedures.

“The PCT complied fully with the ombudsman’s recommendations and paid the agreed compensation.”