The government is reviewing how patients and their families are
kept informed when healthcare goes wrong.
A new call for evidence launched today aims to capture and
consider views about how the duty of candour system is honoured,
monitored and enforced in health and social care settings.
The duty of candour requires health and care providers to be open
and honest when things go wrong. It means that patients and
families have a right to receive explanations for what happened
as soon as possible and a meaningful apology.
The current system has been in place for a decade and this review
will look at how it is operating amid concerns that there is some
inconsistency in how it is being applied.
Minister for Mental Health and Women's Health Strategy, said:
I spent twenty years working as a nurse in the NHS, and I know
how important it is that health and care providers are open with
patients and their loved ones – especially if something has gone
wrong.
I want to ensure that our system of duty of candour is kept up to
date, so I urge anyone with views or experience to respond to the
call for evidence to help inform our review, which will ensure
that honesty and integrity remain at the heart of our health and
social care services.”
The call for evidence has opened today and will run for six
weeks.
It follows a range of measures the government has announced to
improve patient safety. In February, the department announced the
rollout of Martha's Rule to over 100 acute sites by March 2025.
Martha's Rule entitles patients and family members, who are
concerned that their condition is deteriorating, to initiate a
rapid review by someone outside of their initial care
team.
This week, the Department of Health and Social Care also
confirmed that the strengthening of death certificate safeguards
would come into force in September, with medical examiners
looking at the cause of death in all cases that haven't been
referred to the coroner.
The review into duty of candour has gained widespread support
from the health and care sectors, which see the review as an
important way to ensure that healthcare providers are adhering to
best practice.
Patient Safety Commissioner, Henrietta Hughes said:
I welcome the fact that duty of candour is being reviewed because
it is important that people do not struggle to get information
when something has gone wrong. Working with patients as
partners is an opportunity for us to learn and improve.
I would urge the public and clinicians to respond to this call
for evidence.
