Health trusts: complaints on the rise across Northern Ireland
New statistics show the overall number has risen to 8,375 but there have also been thousands of compliments paid
Last updated 11th Jul 2024
A total of 92 complaints are being made against health trusts in Northern Ireland every week, shock new statistics revealed today (Thursday).
Across the year that equates to nearly 5,000 complaints relating to 8,375 complaint issues across six trusts including the Ambulance Trust.
According to the new Department of Health figures, the highest percentage of complaint issues received in 2023/24 related to Accident & Emergency (993, 11.9%).
Elsewhere, the highest number (1,719, 20.5%) of complaint issues related to a patient’s ‘Quality of Treatment & Care’
In addition, since 2019-20 the overall figure has increased from 6,105.
Over the last five years, all six HSC Trusts reported an increase in the number of complaint issues received - with the largest increase (201.1%) reported by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Meanwhile, during 2023/24, 36,530 compliments (via card, email, feedback form, care opinion, letter, social media or telephone) were received by HSC Trusts.