Suffolk MP on Doctor Complaints Increase

18 September 2012, 16:30 | Updated: 18 September 2012, 17:21

The number of complaints about doctors have reached a record high, but a Suffolk MP is telling Heart it could actually be a good thing.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has said since 2009, the number of complaints has soared - and in the last year alone there has been a 23% increase in the number of grievances lodged against doctors. 

Dr Poulter MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich said: 'It's got to be a good thing that people feel empowered and patient feel that when something's gone wrong that they can make their views known.'

Last year 8,781 complaints were made compared to 7,153 in 2010, according to the GMC. 

Almost three quarters of all complaints made were about male doctors and 47% were made about GPs. Grievances were mostly about treatment plans and investigation skills, but there was also a large number of objections about effective communication and respect for patients. 

Dr Dan Poulter on doctor complaints