Mims Davies MP shares Review of Duty of Candour in Health and Social Care.
Evidence is being published today as part of the review of the statutory duty of candour for health and social care providers in England that the Health Department announced on 6th December 2023.
The duty of candour is a crucial instrument for promoting an open and transparent culture in health and social care, ensuring patients or service users and their families receive a full account of events, and a meaningful, timely apology when things go wrong during the provision of health and care services.
The duty permits a level of scrutiny to be applied by providers, giving them an opportunity to consider each situation objectively, look at what could have been done better and implement any necessary changes in order to advance safety in health and care services.
The duty of candour of was originally put in place nearly ten years ago, so now is the right time to review how effectively it is operating. I am also aware of concerns raised within independent reports about the practical operation of the duty, and I wish to understand what actions I can take to ensure that it is operating effectively in all settings.
A call for evidence will allow my department to capture and consider a wide range of views, including expert opinions, about how the duty is being honoured, monitored and enforced, and the extent to which the policy has met its objectives.
The call for evidence will run for 6 weeks and will close on 29th May.