Duty of candour: RCN and healthwatch join call to include all significant incidents

Published: 29 Nov 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Healthwatch England (the official national body for patients) have both called for the new statutory Duty of Candour to cover all incidents of significant harm. Jeremy Hunt agreed to review the previously intended restriction to fatal and severe harm/permanent disability cases after representations from AvMA.  A range of bodies including National Voices (the umbrella group for patients’ charities) and Patients First (the whistleblower support group) have already backed AvMA’s calls for the restriction to be lifted.  Mr. Hunt is due to decide before Christmas.

Read our briefing on why the Duty of Candour should cover all incidents causing significant harm.