Duty of Candour

Duty of Candour

Openness and Honesty When Something Goes Wrong in Care

This guide explains the Duty of Candour in England and what openness and transparency should look like when something goes wrong during health or social care.

It distinguishes the general expectation of openness from the specific statutory process that applies when an incident meets the legal definition of a notifiable safety incident.

It includes:

• What the Duty of Candour means
• The statutory duty in England
• Understanding notifiable safety incidents
• Who should be informed
• What the notification should include
• Apologies and why saying sorry is not an admission of liability
• Written follow-up and ongoing communication
• Statutory and professional duties of candour
• Accessible communication and reasonable support
• What to do if you believe the duty has not been followed

A practical guide to understanding the responsibilities of healthcare and social-care providers when care causes harm or something goes wrong.

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