HC Deb 01 December 1981 vol 14 cc76-7W
Mr. Canavan

asked 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 Stewart

In 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.

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