Recent patient performance figures at Dorset County Hospital have been affected by two bouts of snow and ice in March.

Director of Nursing and Quality Nicky Lucey said that cancelled appointments had also resulted in complaints increasing although the situation had now recovered.

West Dorset Governor David Tett said that when comments were analysed many seemed to be about the attitude of staff, although he said he seldom heard anything other than praise for staff members at DCH.

Ms Lucey said that while comments were generally positive there were times when patients and their families would fall out with professionals over treatment and care, or had suffered a breakdown in communication.

She said that the statistics were monitored and areas of concern identified and tackled.

Governor Christine Alsop said that she was concerned that issues around communication appeared in the figure so frequently.

“Perhaps it is a misunderstanding by the patient or a difficulty in communication, which can be hard, especially if a patient is sick or confused..

“Patients are often not taking in what they have been told,” she said.

Nicky Lucey said that problems were sometimes caused by misunderstandings and, occasionally, by disputes between family members.

Governor Andy Hutchings, said his experience as a patient at DCH had always been that of “exceptional service with exceptional staff.”

Chair Mark Addison said that the number of complaints amounted to only a tiny proportion of patients dealt with, but said that no matter what the numbers, there was always something which could be learnt and improved on.