Complaints about doctors hit record heights in 2011

The number of complaints received about doctors rose by 23 percent in 2011 to reach a new record level, according to a General Medical Council (GMC) report.

Figures from the organisation's second annual State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK report have revealed that the number of complaints made to the GMC shot up from 7,153 in 2010 to 8,781 in 2011.

This continues an upward trend that has been observed since 2007, with a significant rise in the number of concerns raised over doctor/patient communication and respect, while a smaller rise in complaints about medical directors in official positions was noted.

Despite this, there was no evidence suggesting this was due to a drop in care quality, with potential explanations including greater expectations, an increased willingness to complain and media attention on high-profile cases.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: "We hope this report will shed further light on the issues and challenges facing the medical profession in promoting high-quality healthcare across the UK."

The NHS Confederation responded to the report by suggesting that greater attention needs to be paid to responding to patient feedback in the right ways.