NI: Consultation on statutory duty of candour opens

NI: Consultation on statutory duty of candour opens

Robin Swann

Proposals to introduce a statutory duty of candour for healthcare organisations have gone out to consultation.

Healthcare organisations and everyone working for them would be required to be “open and honest in all their dealings with patients and the public” under the proposed legislation.

The move was one of the key recommendations of the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-Related Deaths (IHRD), which published its final report three years ago.

Launching the consultation, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “When I took up my role as Health Minister last January I gave a commitment to progress the implementation of the recommendations in the hyponatraemia report.

“No one could have predicted the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and after some delay I welcome the opportunity to launch his consultation. This represents a significant step forward and I urge everyone to have their say.

“We are keen to hear as wide a range of views as possible. This is the opportunity for your voice to be heard on an issue that is of the utmost importance to the delivery of health and social care services.”

The online consultation is now open and will close on 2 August 2021.

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