Airedale NHS Trust says winter pressures have led to its highest recorded number of patients' complaints.

The number of complaints received by the trust between October and December last year was 64, the highest number of quarterly complaints since formal reporting of figures started.

Trust directors say the high numbers can be linked to the increased pressures on staff and resources during the busy winter months and the recent flu bug.

Director of nursing and quality Sue Franks, pictured, said: "I feel this report demonstrates, in conjunction with finance and activity reports, services that have been put under great pressure.

"This has led to an increase in complaints this quarter to a level which we haven't experienced before."

The highest number of complaints were about clinical treatment, with 22 people unhappy with an aspect of their treatment.

A total of 12 people registered complaints about the attitude and manner of staff and a lack of information or communication.

There were six additional complaints about change of time or length of waiting time for appointments, and six about nursing care and supervision.

Concerns were also raised about waiting times and cancellations of operations, discharge arrangements and written communications with patients.

The trust says 92 per cent of all complaints were acknowledged within the standard response time of two days, with 37 per cent of those people receiving a reply within four weeks. A further 61 per cent of the complaints were addressed within 13 weeks.

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