AQW 47995/11-15 Written question to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether a professional duty of candour exists for Health Service staff, as has been introduced by the Department of Health in England; and if it not, whether his Department intends to introduce such a duty.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 30 June 2015
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 30 June 2015
- Answer due by
- 6 July 2015
- Answered
- 25 August 201556 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
Individual doctors and nurses already operate under a duty of candour as part of the conditions of their professional registration. This will soon be extended to other registered health professionals.
Work has begun on the introduction of a statutory duty of candour for Northern Ireland and I expect a consultation to issue later in the year. Once the policy is agreed, the relevant legislation will be put in place to set the duty on a statutory footing.
The duty in Northern Ireland will, like other UK jurisdictions, apply at organisational level.