ALMOST a third of complaints made by patients to a health board related to the behaviour of medics.

Staff attitude and communication made up 32% of all complaints made to NHS Lanarkshire last year with 38% related to clinical treatment.

Complaints about Hairmyres Hospital fell by 7%, while those directed to Monklands Hospital rose by 19%, from 93 to 137.

Among the complaints listed on the board's annual report were a junior doctor taking a personal call during a consultation and the wrong relative being given bad news. National Education Scotland and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has developed an e-tool to help staff respond to complaints. A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said: "We are committed to continually improving the level of customer care."