The
General Medical Council, the regulatory body of the medical
profession, predicts that there will be a record number
of complaints this year. The number of complaints made against
practising doctors increased last year by 49%, bringing
the total number of complaints to 4,470. So far this year,
the GMC has received 2,300 complaints and this is expected
to at least double by the end of the year.
The
GMC state that the number of complaints increase following
high profile cases. For example, the GMC received their
record number of complaints in the month after the Shipman
conviction. With the publication of the Bristol Royal Infirmary
inquiry next week and possible high profile cases in the
autumn, the GMC are preparing for a barrage of complaints.
Comment:
Depsite the increase in the number of complaints made to
the GMC, only 1386/4470 were put forward for an initial
assessment. There is the issue of individuals directing
their complaints directly to the GMC before completing or
even approaching the NHS complaints procedures.
