IT paints a deeply depressing picture of what could lie in store for us: an NHS that allows elderly people to die in pain, in distress, and without dignity.

Health service ombudsman Ann Abraham’s report, Care and Compassion?, has all the more impact for relating the stories not of 10 case studies, but of 10 individuals who were loving partners, parents and grandparents.

One was writing a book; another had taken herself off to Disneyworld at the age of 81; while another, a retired joiner, was still using his skills to help out his children.

All but one died during or just after receiving what can only be described as abysmal care from the health service.

“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,” said Ms Abraham.

“What they have in common is their experience of suffering unnecessary pain, indignity and distress while in the care of the NHS.

“Poor care or badly managed medication contributed to their deteriorating health as they were transformed from alert and able individuals to people who were dehydrated, malnourished or unable to communicate.”

Mark Sharman, chief executive of Bournemouth-based charity Help and Care, said: “The cases described are shocking. No-one should be treated like that.

“A large number of people have really good experiences in hospital, but there are always going to be people who have horrific experiences. When we get good care it’s about good staff who treat us as individuals, as human beings.

“There have been great strides forward in the way older people are treated, but there’s still a long way to go. It’s about attitude of staff, making sure the right structures are in place so that when things go wrong, it is exposed. ”

He added: “The NHS is about to undertake the biggest ever shake-up in the way it is structured and operated. I remain unconvinced that a more market-driven NHS will deliver improvements to health outcomes for older people.”

One of the cases was of Mrs R, a dementia sufferer admitted to Southampton Hospital after recurring falls, worsening mobility and confusion.

Her daughter complained that her mother was not offered a bath or shower during her 13-week admission; that she was not helped to eat or drink and that only one of the nine falls she experienced in hospital was recorded.

Bournemouth councillor and older people’s champion Pat Lewis called the report “very distressing”.

Three years ago, she chaired a working party that looked into dignity and respect in local health and social care.

“We found many examples of good practice and saw no evidence of anything like this occurring in our towns. I know that our complaints system works well,” she said.

“I can understand that maybe relatives might be reluctant to say if they are unhappy about a situation, but it’s up to all of us to say if we see anything that’s not quite right.”

Last year, the health service ombudsman’s office accepted 226 cases about the care of older people for investigation, more than twice as many as any other age group.

Andrea O’Connell, deputy director of quality improvement at NHS Bournemouth and Poole, said: “We are pleased to note that none of the 10 cases mentioned in the report are in our area.

“Cases such as the ones published yesterday are thankfully very rare due to local monitoring processes.

“If people have concerns I would urge them to raise these with either the provider or ourselves through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service.”