THE number of written complaints to the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has risen in the last year, according to new data.

A total of 5,744 written complaints were received between April 2017 and March 2018, compared with 5,498 the previous year.

The complaints cover hospital and community health services and GP and dental practices in the area.

NHS data also shows there has been a rise in the number of written complaints by patients in hospital and community health services, from 2,938 in 2016/17 to 3,207 in 2017/18,

Figures show a slight drop in written complaints to primary care services from 2,560 in 2016/17 to 2,537 last year.

Medical experts said there are many factors that could cause a rise in written complaints, including pressures on resources and staff numbers in the NHS, as well as better reporting of complaints.

David Wrigley, Lancashire’s representative on the British Medical Association, said: “It’s important that patients feel they can complain if things go wrong.

“The NHS is under so much currently with staff, resources and services under a lot of strain.

“It’s then no surprise that waiting times get longer and GP appointments and operations get cancelled, contributing to a rise in written complaints.

“But I’d encourage patients to come forward and complain if they need to.”

Hyndburn’s health chief Cllr Munsif Dad said that better reporting of complaints could be behind the rise.

He said: “I’d firstly like to thank all the staff in the NHS who do an excellent job under difficult circumstances.

“The reason for any rise is not because of staff but because of the pressure they’re under and a lack of resources.

“Patients are more aware of how to report these complaints and there’s a process to follow and of course legitimate complaints need to be looked at and taken seriously.

“But the staff do a magnificent job and my own experience of the NHS is that the care is excellent.”

Cllr Brian Taylor, executive member for health and adult social care at Blackburn with Darwen Council, described the figures as really disappointing.

He said: “I’m surprised at the rise to a certain extent, as people who stay in hospital for a long period tend to have a very good opinion of staff.

“But those using outpatient services tend to find them more hit and miss as people become disappointed at appointment times and appointments being cancelled.

“But the figures are disappointing as someone who is ill wants the best care possible.”

Nationally, the number of written complaints to the NHS has also increased from 208,415 in 2016/17 to 208,626 in 2017/18.

Data shows there has been a drop in the number of such complaints in hospitals and community health services nationally, from 117,836 in 2016-17 to 113,989 in 2017/18.

But there has been a rise in the number of written complaints by patients to GPs and dental practices nationally.

In 2016/17, there were 90,579 such complaints compared to 94,637 last year.