INCREASING complaints about service at Great Western Hospital were discussed at a meeting of hospital directors.

Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust's own figures revealed a 46 per cent increase in formal written complaints since the start of the year.

And informal complaints have also increased to the same degree from the start of the year until March 31, compared with the same period last year.

Formal complaints have risen from 69 to 101 and informal increased from 85 to 140.

But Trust directors have interpreted the rise as a vindication of their drive to ensure that the hospital responds to the needs of its users.

Trust chairman, Nicholas Godden, told yesterday's meeting: "As long as we learn from any mistakes then this should be viewed as a positive thing."