25.09.13
Rise in complaints against NHS Scotland
Complaints against the NHS in Scotland have risen by 13%, new statistics show.
In 2013/13 there were 9,161 complaints about hospital and community health services, compared to 8,117 the year before. 28% of the complaints were fully upheld and 35% partially upheld. But complaints about GPs and dentists had fallen; by 13% and 30% respectively.
Only 61% of the complaints were dealt with within the national target of 20 working days.
Health secretary Alex Neil told the BBC: “Our health service does a fantastic job in the overwhelming number of cases. In an organisation of this size, care can sometimes fall below the standards we all demand.
“In those cases I want to encourage patients to give us feedback, whether good or bad, so that health boards can continually improve the care they provide. These statistics demonstrate this is happening.”
Scottish Conservative health spokesman and deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “The truth is the rising number of complaints comes against a backdrop of falling staff numbers and struggling hospital wards.”
Labour's Richard Baker added: “These figures show what happens when SNP ministers do not fund our local health services properly and give our excellent local NHS staff the backing they need.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]