The number of complaints against the NHS has risen to an all time high.

Health service ombudsman Ann Abraham said in her annual report that complaints have risen from 2660 in 2001/02 to 3994 in 2002/03.

The increase was almost entirely due to complaints about NHS funding for the continuing care of elderly and disabled people.

A Department of Health Spokesperson, told ePolitix.com: "The government is taking the issue of access to continuing care services very seriously. That's why from October this year before leaving hospital the NHS will be required to assess people for continuing care. Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts are working hard to deal with local enquiries arising from the Ombudsman's report. Any individual who feels that they have been affected by this should contact their local strategic health authority.

"It is not yet possible to give an estimate of the number of people entitled to receive compensation or the estimated costs. We expect to have a better picture of the overall impact of the report later this year.

"There have been record levels of investment in older people's services - £900 million for services to help promote independence, an extra £1 billion a year by 2006 for social care services and £56 million to end long waits for NHS cataract operations."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "The situation is complex. The government needs to urgently look at the care system and provide more resources for this sector."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Mervyn Kohler, policy manager at Help the Aged, said: "Yet again the issue of funding continuing long term care for older people persists to be a main complaint for the Ombudsman.

"Older people are feeling cheated by the system causing stress and hardship. The government is refusing to clarify the situation and so these wrangles go on for months even years.

"The confusion over who pays for care in what circumstances must be rectified once and for all."

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, said: "Older people and their families are suffering anxiety and heartache because of the confusion about who should pay for care.

"Since the ombudsman's special report on the subject, more than 1000 callers have contacted our information line and yet more people have contacted Age Concerns locally for advice. Age Concern Shropshire, Telford and the Wrekin has helped bring one of the cases before the ombudsman in this latest report.

"The guidance about who qualifies for funding is hugely complex and baffles health care professionals, advisers and older people alike.

"The Department of Health must provide straightforward guidance and make clear what the state will provide and to whom as a matter of urgency."