The General Medical Council (GMC) has produced a statistical snapshot of the profession in 2011, showing a fast-rising trend of people complaining about their doctor. Although the rate of complaints remains very low given the number of doctor-patient interactions.

The GMC's chief executive Niall Dickson told the Today programme: "Patients do expect more and in the digital age it's easier for them to access information and easier for them to complain. And we shouldn't think that's a bad thing, I think patients raising concerns is a good thing."

Mr Dickson added that complaints may not just be coming from patients.

"The doctor of today is much more willing to raise concerns about colleagues. The profession has changed fairly radically over the last generation where recognising the concerns in other people's professional conduct and behavior and skills is very much part of what it is to be a professional," he said.

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