We are dedicated to delivering safe, effective, and high-quality care to every patient. We recognise that continually improving our services means learning from both positive outcomes and occasions when things do not go as expected.
The Duty of Candour is a legal requirement that came into force on 1 April 2018. It ensures that healthcare providers are open, honest, and transparent with patients whenever an unexpected incident results in harm or, in the most serious circumstances, death.
If an unexpected incident occurs during your treatment or care that meets the Duty of Candour criteria, we will:
Our aim is to ensure that patients and families are treated with openness, compassion, and respect throughout the process.
The Duty of Candour procedure is initiated as soon as reasonably practicable following an unintended or unexpected event that has resulted in harm or death, where the outcome is not solely due to the natural progression of the patient’s underlying condition.
An appropriately qualified healthcare professional who was not directly involved in the patient’s care will determine whether the statutory Duty of Candour applies.
The process typically involves the following stages:
We will contact you to explain that an incident has occurred, provide a sincere apology, and discuss the next steps in the process.
Where appropriate, we will arrange a meeting to answer any questions, explain what is known about the incident, and outline any further investigations or actions being undertaken.
A thorough review of the incident will be completed. Once concluded, a written report will summarise the findings, identify any lessons learned, and describe the improvements implemented to enhance patient safety.
In line with our statutory responsibilities, we publish an annual Duty of Candour report. This report provides a summary of Duty of Candour cases during the reporting period but does not contain any personal or identifiable patient information.
We value the trust our patients place in us and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of openness, honesty, and patient care. If you would like more information about the Duty of Candour or have any questions about the process, please get in touch with our team.