A mother who complained about her disabled daughter’s care asked for £3,000 in compensation – but was instead offered £500 in shopping vouchers.

The woman had spent seven years trying to arrange appropriate care and treatment for her daughter, who has severe epilepsy and a learning disability.

She was eventually awarded compensation after the parliamentary and health service ombudsman Ann Abraham intervened.

The case is one of several highlighted in the ombudsman’s annual report.

The woman, known as Mrs G, complained to the ombudsman after becoming frustrated with the service being provided by NHS Hastings and Rother. The report said: “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 said she had asked the trust for £3,000 compensation for the seven years of stress and inconvenience.

“They had offered her £500 in shopping vouchers.”

The ombudsman then contacted the Trust who agreed to pay Mrs G £3,000 and provided her daughter with a specialist wheelchair.

A spokesman for NHS Hastings and Rother said: “All complaints are taken extremely seriously, and handled in line with national guidance and procedures.

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

Ms Abraham said: “The complaints system can be complex to understand and navigate and we work hard to ensure that our service is accessible to everyone.”

Contact the ombudsman’s complaints helpline by calling 0345 0154033 or email phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk.