Promoting honesty and transparency
For the entire history of the NHS, the healthcare system has effectively tolerated cover-ups, despite patients’ profound need for truth after avoidable medical harm. Our campaigns have fought to replace this culture of silence with one that values transparency, and we’ve created a step change with the statutory duty of candour in England.
But there’s more to do. We are waiting for the outcome of the Department of Health and Social Care’s review of the duty of candour, the consultation on which closed in 2024. The Government has also consulted on the regulation of NHS managers, which might also have a bearing on the duty of candour. The consultation on this closed in 2025.
Explore our ongoing work to strengthen the duty of candour across the UK and ensure lessons are learned, and change implemented, from every failure.
