Richard Connock in his 2017-18 annual report said while there had been a 24-per-cent decrease after the previous year’s spike in enquiries, there had been an increase in the number of formal complaints, from 348 to 377.

“A significant proportion of the complaints received are complex with multiple parties needing to be consulted and managed,” he said.

Mr Connock said complaint numbers had almost doubled over the past 10 years while staffing levels had dropped by a third in that time.

There was a 13 per cent decrease in complaints closed by the office.

Eight-two per cent of complaints were closed within six months.

Mr Connock said this number better resembled historical levels. 

He said in line with previous years, public hospitals were the subject of the next highest number of complaints.

Mr Connock said there was a notable increase this year in the number of complaints relating to delays or failure by public hospitals to respond to complaints.

He said the main issue in relation to mental health services was refusal to admit or treat. 

There was a 47 per cent increase in the number of complaints, from 51 to 75.

There was a 50 per cent increase in the number of complaints received about mental health services, from six to nine.