Duty of candour: patients deserve more protection than simple contracts

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Northerner

Admin (Retired)
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
The implementation of duty of candour is among reforms introduced on 1 April that bring about fundamental changes to the structure and organisation of the NHS. This imposes an obligation to report some adverse incidents, in restricted circumstances, to some patients and their families.

It is being implemented as a result of the scandal surrounding the Mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust where staff did not feel able to, or feel the need to, inform managers, minsters or, patients about adverse incidents.

Before becoming a lawyer I was a staff nurse. I was appalled by the lack of honesty towards patients when mistakes were made. Many years later, I note that the Francis report into failings at Mid Staffordshire shows the culture of silence remains unchanged.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcar...hs-reforms-duty-of-candour-mid-staffs-scandal
 
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