Four out of five GPs practise 'defensive medicine' after complaints soar

By SHAUN WOOLLER, EXECUTIVE HEALTH EDITOR Published: 01:17, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 01:24, 10 June 2026 The growing threat of complaints has led four in five GPs to practise 'defensive medicine' that risks over-diagnosis and over-medicalisation, a survey reveals. Family doctors said they are more inclined to prescribe certain medicines, refer patients to specialists or spend longer writing notes to prevent a backlash. The excessive caution comes amid fears of missing a serious condition that could result in a legal complaint or a referral to the doctors' regulator. But it often involves deviating from standard practice, with GPs prescribing extra drugs and ordering more tests that may increase patient anxiety and place more burden on the health service in terms of costs and demand for appointments. Some 78 per cent of family doctors agreed the threat of complaints had led them to practise more defensively than they feel is best for their patient.  Just 9 per cent disagreed, according to the poll of 836 GPs by trade magazine Pulse. One family doctor said: 'I have found myself practising more defensive medicine at times, perhaps investigating or referring where previously I might have watched and waited.  'Despite time constraints, I find myself writing essays in patient notes to make sure I've covered my own back. A new survey has revealed that four in five GPs practise 'defensive medicine' that risks over-diagnosis and over-medicalisation 'This, combined with patient attitudes, has made working in the NHS almost untenable in the current climate.' Figures from NHS Resolution, which handles compensation claims on behalf of the health service, show it is dealing with around 3,000 cases a year involving GPs – some worth more than £4million. Meanwhile, figures from NHS England and the General Medical Council also reveal a rise in complaints about family doctors. One doctor described general practice as a 'very high-risk environment'. Previous research published in the British Medical Journal found a strong link between defensive medicine and 'burnout', suggesting doctors engaged in such practices are more stressed. Dennis Reed, of Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly patients, did 'feel sorry' for GPs, but thought most patients would 'rather see their doctor play it safe and send them for additional checks'. The poll comes in a report on complaints and regulation, produced by Pulse publisher Cogora, and funded by Medical Protection, which offers indemnity services to GPs. Dr Sarah Townley, of Medical Protection, said members were 'worried about all sorts of medico-legal issues – complaints, claims, even police investigations'. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.