Our response to the legal Duty of Candour coming into force for health and social care organisations

A new law has come into force that places a legal duty on hospital, community and mental health trusts to inform and apologise to patients if there have been mistakes in their care that have led to significant harm.

Speaking about this legal Duty of Candour, our Chief Executive, Katherine Rake said:

"Today marks a huge moment for patient safety in this country. No longer will doctors, nurses and hospital managers be able to bury their heads in the sand when things go wrong.

"It represents the culmination of more than a year of campaigning by Healthwatch and charities like Action Against Medical Accidents, as well as the tireless efforts of the countless whistleblowers and failed patients, who have pushed for so long for health organisations and professionals to own up to their mistakes.

“Enshrining this principle in law will underpin much needed culture change in the NHS and care services, but the real progress in patient safety will only come if staff abide by the new rules. Healthwatch and our fellow patient champions will be keeping a close eye on progress, continually challenging the system and reinforcing that honesty is always the best policy."