The number of complaints about the National Health Service in Scotland has risen for the third consecutive year.

More than 7,600 complaints were received by NHS trusts last year, an increase of nearly 300 over the previous 12 months.

The figures were compiled by the Information and Statistics Division (ISD) of the NHS using data from health boards and trusts.

The majority of complaints related to staffing issues, treatment and waiting times.

The largest rise was in complaints about health boards. Most of these were about NHS procedure.

The data showed 138 complaints were received, compared to 56 the previous year.

The statistics also revealed:

• The total number of complaints dealt with by NHS trusts increased to 7,656 compared with 7,389 in 2000/01

• Of those complaints received, 107 or 1.4% resulted in a request for independent review

• 28.7% of all issues raised in trust complaints were staffing issues, 26.3% related to treatment and 16.9% related to waiting times

• In NHS board complaints, procedural issues accounted for 60% of all issues raised

Of the 107 independent review requests, the convener decided in 49 cases to refer the complaint back for local resolution.

In 30 cases no further action was required and in six cases the decision was made to convene a review panel.

A further 22 requests were still under consideration at the end of March this year.

The highest number of complaints since the procedure was introduced six years ago was in 1996/97 when 8,138 complaints were recorded against NHS trusts.

The lowest number was recorded in 1999 when the figure stood at 7,156.