THE Health Service Ombudsman has criticised a North-East health authority for failing to adequately investigate a complaint about a nursing home.

The unidentified woman, known as Mrs X, complained about the quality of care at a private Tyneside nursing home after her mother, Mrs Q, died following a choking fit at the home in March 1998.

The Health Service Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority guilty of maladministration.

He concluded that the health authority did not conduct an adequate investigation and did not deal appropriately with requests for relevant documents.

The health authority has agreed to implement his recommendations and has apologised to Mrs X.