§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total annual number of complaints about doctors made to the Scottish health boards; how many complaints are upheld; and how much compensation has been paid out to patients who have legitimate complaints against doctors.
§ Mr. Allan StewartIn 1980 there were 80 complaints investigated by health boards of possible breaches of general practitioners' terms of service; in eight of these the complaint was upheld. The statutory regulations do not provide for compensation to patients; but it would be open to a complainer to take action for negligence at common law in order to claim damages.