Health Services Commissioner Annual Report 2000/2001

Figure 5. Treatment Issues – Medical Practitioners
Treatment Issues - Medical Practitioners
00-01
Incompetent treatment
Rough treatment
3%
2%
9%
13%
99-00
Other
4%
3%
Negligent treatment
8%
17%
Medication
Inadequate treatment
9%
11%
36%
34%
Inadequate diagnosis
23%
28%
The largest group of doctors is the general practitioners (GPs). In 1999/2000 almost
half (544) of all complaints against doctors were made about GPs. In 2000/2001 this
decreased to 534. Figure 6 below shows the categories of complaints made against
GPs for the past two years.
Appendix 2 lists the number of complaints about individual medical specialities
GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
Once again the most common issues in complaints about GPs relate to treatment
issues, usually inadequate treatment and diagnosis, however attitudinal problems and
poor communication occur far too often and have the potential to undermine public
confidence in the medical profession.
Figure 6. Issues in GP Complaints
Issues in GP Complaints
00-01
99-00
Access
8%
6%
Administration
2%
2%
Communication
21%
19%
Cost
4%
5%
Rights
13%
14%
Treatment
51%
53%
Health Services Commissioner Annual Report 2000/2001 42