Online appointment booking service HealthEngine has removed patient feedback from its site following revelations that it so heavily moderated some comments that they appeared positive rather than negative.

Fairfax Media last week revealed it had been able to see the original reviews using the website's HTML code, showing that in addition to editing out individual doctors' names, many negative comments were also deleted.

HealthEngine launched the practice recognition program in 2015 and made it clear at the time that it was not a doctor rating site and any negative feedback would not be published but instead sent to the practice to help improve performance.