Mike Nesbitt

The consultation comes more than half a decade after such a move was recommended by the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia Related Deaths (IHRD) led by Mr Justice O’Hara.

A similar statutory duty exists in England, Wales and Scotland, and is comparable to the mandatory open disclosure law south of the border.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health is seeking views on both its draft ‘Being Open’ framework and the establishment of a duty of candour.

Health minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Openness and honesty are critical to safe and effective health care.

“We want to create a culture in which staff feel safe, supported and empowered to speak up when things are not as they should be, in the certainty that their concerns will be listened to and acted upon; where the public can have complete confidence that if the care received has not been as it should be, they will be informed quickly and accurately about what has happened.  

“The ‘Being Open’ framework aims to ensure that individuals within our health and social care system are fully empowered to exercise candour and openness, and that HSC organisations have in place the necessary support and systems required to enable and nurture a truly open culture

“The framework provides a consistent regional approach to the practical arrangements and principles to be followed by HSC Trusts in order to create a culture of openness where trust can flourish between organisations, their staff and the people who use their services.

“Ensuring we have a framework in place that can deliver the tools to build that trust and openness is key. I would encourage the public to have their say.”

The consultation is open for 14 weeks and closes on 21 March 2025.