COMPLAINTS against GPs in our region have risen by more than 13 per cent over the past 12 months, according to NHS figures.

A new report from the NHS Information Centre says written complaints against GPs in North Yorkshire and York went up from 868 to 986, year-on-year.

Acomb GP and chairman of the YOR Local Medical Committee, Dr Brian McGregor, said it was only through patient feedback that GPs would be able to maintain and improve quality.

However, he warned that sweeping NHS efficiency measures meant the number of complaints may increase next year.

He warned: “People who have seen things as an expectation in the past may not get the same level of care, though they will get the same quality.

“We are under a lot of pressure and doing a difficult job in difficult circumstances.”

The figures, which covered not only GP services but the whole of the NHS in our region, showed East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust experienced a rise in complaints of 40.9 per cent, up from 115 to 162.

A trust spokesman said it had “robust processes” in place to manage improvements and that it regarded formal complaints as a way to learn and respond to issues raised.

York Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust had a drop of 15.6 per cent in the complaints it received. Marylyn Thirlway, head of Patient Experience at York Hospital, said: “While the figure represents only 0.02 percent of patients who come through the hospital in a year, we take all complaints seriously and try to resolve them immediately whenever we can.”