Complaints against doctors have risen by almost a fifth in the past year according to the Medical Council.

Its annual report claims 369 complaints were received about doctors in 2015.

Communication appears to be a growing problem with a 40 per rise in the numbers complaining about it.

Five doctors were struck off the register last year, that's up from just 1 in 2014.

Although men continue to dominate the medical profession, the majority of those on the register between the ages of 30 - 44 are female.

Exit rates of doctors have increased slightly on last year, from 5.6% in 2014 to 6.4% in 2015.

On the National Lunchtime News, Tom Swift spoke with Medical Council CEO, Bill Prasifka about the rise in complaints: