Complaints against doctors increased significantly in 2025, with the General Medical Council (GMC) recording 13,465 complaints last year, up from 10,769 the previous year. This represents a roughly 25% rise in accusations made by the public over a 12-month period.

Despite the surge in complaints, the number of cases that proceeded to formal investigation remained relatively low. Fewer than 1,000 complaints were subjected to detailed scrutiny by the GMC in 2025. Moreover, the number of doctors removed from the medical register reached its lowest level in four years, with only 48 removals recorded.

The small proportion of cases advancing to tribunal reflects the GMC’s ongoing efforts to carefully assess and filter complaints before formal disciplinary proceedings. In total, 160 cases reached the tribunal stage during 2025. The majority of these involved allegations of professional misconduct, criminal convictions, or both.

These statistics highlight a growing disparity between the volume of public grievances against medical professionals and the relatively limited number of outcomes resulting in removal from practice. The GMC’s data illustrates the complex balance regulators must achieve in responding to increased public concern while ensuring due process for practitioners.