GPs have faced a barrage of complaints over the last two months as some patients struggled to adjust to lockdown arrangements, it was revealed today.

Some people have complained about not getting face-to-face appointments for “existing minor” conditions – and others have complained about the way doctors have handled phone consultations, the Medical Defence Union reported.

It said it had been notified of more than 300 complaints since 23 March, warning that this would be the “tip of the iceberg.” Some patients complained that doctors wearing protective equipment hampered communication – while others complained it was not worn, the MDU said.

Dr Caroline Fryer, from the MDU, said she was surprised how many complaints there had been. She said: “Complaints numbers are a little down on what we’d normally see, but we expected a bigger drop given the public’s grateful recognition of the incredibly challenging circumstances our members are working in.”

She added: “Our message is: if you were clapping for the NHS on Thursday, remember we are all in this together. The need to investigate complaints and respond will divert doctors’ attention away from the urgent Covid-19 work. It will continue to do this as the NHS tries to get back to ‘normal’ even after lockdown is eased. Doctors are working all hours, often in difficult conditions, and possibly at great personal risk.

“Making complaints about care that you think was less than ideal because of the extraordinary demands on clinicians during the pandemic may not be the best way to protect the NHS.”