A leading clinical negligence solicitor has welcomed plans to require health workers to own up to mistakes that have led to significant harm to patients.
The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has today announced a consultation on an extended ‘duty of candour’, a campaign which has been led by the charity, Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) for several years.
The duty of candour would put a legal duty on hospitals and NHS organisations to admit to mistakes which lead to significant harm. The aim of the consultation is to improve patient safety and ultimately save lives.
Judith Thomas-Whittingham, partner and head of the clinical negligence department at leading law firm, Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “This is a great step forward in improving patient safety and will reduce the chances of serious errors being repeated, which could lead to significant harm to patients.
“All too often, when medical accidents occur, patients merely want an apology or an explanation of what happened. The duty of candour will encourage openness when things go wrong. If mistakes and concerns are acted on in a robust manner, it will improve communication between the patient and carer and possibly even lead to fewer legal actions.”
The duty of candour is to be consulted on and is expected to come into force in October.
ENDS
Media information: Lianne Tracey, Stephensons Solicitors LLP, Tel: 01616 966 229 ,Email: lct@stephensons.co.uk