New GMC study shines light on causes of rise in medical complaints

A new study from the General Medical Council (GMC) has suggested that recent rises in the number of complaints over medical care are not to do with declining standards.

The report highlighted a number of trends which have contributed to an environment in which the public are more prone to making complaints about their doctors, including the rise of social media and the fact patients are now more educated on medical matters.

It was also suggested that the media is playing a part in this, with negative press coverage leading to a rise in the number of 'me too' complaints. The GMC's efforts to raise its own profile have also led to it becoming more of a focal point for complaints.

However, a large number of these complaints did not progress because the issues raised could not be identified, suggesting the GMC is receiving requests outside its remit. This means processes may need to be improved.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: "We have no evidence that the rise in complaints against doctors reflects falling standards – what this research underlines is that patients are more willing to complain and find it easier to do so."

The organisation is the independent regulator for doctors in the UK and is responsible for keeping up-to-date registers of qualified doctors, fostering good medical practice, promoting high standards of education and training, and dealing with fitness-to-practise cases.