The Duty of Candour is also sometimes referred to as the "duty of openness" or "duty of disclosure". It is important to note that the Duty of Candour applies not only to doctors and nurses, but also to all healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, and radiographers.
The Duty of Candour obliges professionals to be open and honest with their patients about mistakes made in their care. This means that professionals should inform patients when something goes wrong, even if it was not the professional's fault.
Professionals can fulfil their Duty of Candour obligation by being open and honest with their patients from the beginning of the patient-professional relationship. This means informing patients about what they can expect from the professional relationship, including any risks or potential complications. Professionals should also be honest with their patients if something goes wrong during the course of treatment, explaining what happened and how it will be fixed. Finally, professionals should stay in touch with their patients after treatment is completed to ensure that there were no lasting negative