Complaints to NHS highest since data began, but those upheld at lowest level
Just 26.2% of the complaints were upheld
The number of written complaints to the health service last year was the highest since current data began, new figures show.
However, the proportion of those being upheld has fallen to its lowest level.
The latest data published by NHS England shows there were 305,264 written complaints to the health service in 2025/26.
This is an 18.9% increase on the 256,777 complaints in the previous 12 months.
More than four in 10 (43.5%) complaints were not upheld in 2025/26, and 30.3% were partially upheld.
Just 26.2% of the total were upheld, the lowest figure since current data began.
The number of complaints regarding hospital and community health services increased by more than a fifth (22.4%) during the year, rising from 113,780 to 139,227.
However, the proportion of those upheld fell from a quarter to 21.9%.
The most common complaint was regarding communications, according to the data.
The number of complaints regarding primary care at GP or dental practices increased by 16.1% year-on-year, with 166,037 complaints in 2025/26, up from 142,997.
The proportion of those fully upheld fell slightly to 29.5% from 30.3%.
The largest proportion of new complaints in both general practice and dental was regarding clinical treatment.
Some 15.8% of GP complaints were regarding this area, along with 31.4% in dental.