COMPLAINTS about GPs and dentists in north Cumbria have soared above levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic, new figures show.

New data from NHS Digital shows that 852 complaints were made to GPs and dentists in the former NHS North Cumbria CCG area in the year to March.

This figure is up 85 per cent from the year to March 2019.

Dentists saw a smaller rise, with the number of complaints increasing by 2 per cent from 14,100 to 14,300 over the same period from March 2021 to March 2022

NHS Digital did not collate data on complaints between 2019-2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Of last year's complaints, 182 (21 per cent) were fully upheld, meaning that the medical provider was ultimately found to be in the wrong.

This was down from 2018-19, when 35 per cent of complaints were upheld. 

Seperate figures, also from NHS Digital showed that GPs nationally carried out 32 million appointments in Ocotber, the highest monthly figure since November 2017, when records were first available.

Commenting on the data, an NHS spokesperson said: 

"GP teams are working non-stop to get people the care they need, delivering nearly 30% more appointments compared to the same time pre-pandemic, with two thirds getting seen within a week and seven in 10 patients getting treated in person.

“The NHS has invested record amounts in primary care, and while seven out of 10 patients report a good experience at their practice, the NHS is determined to make it easier to get an appointment, which is why we have recruited over 21,200 additional staff since 2019 and improved practice telephone systems so that people can speak to staff more quickly and easily.”

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