The duty of candour is a fundamental aspect of home care, ensuring that providers operate with transparency and honesty, particularly when things do not go as planned. This legal requirement, as outlined in Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, mandates that registered providers and managers must act in an open and transparent manner with those receiving care.
It’s not just about adhering to regulations; it’s about fostering trust and maintaining the integrity of care. When a notifiable safety incident occurs, it is imperative that the provider informs the affected individuals promptly, offers support, and provides a truthful account of the event, including an apology.
This approach not only aligns with ethical practices but also mitigates the risk of legal repercussions, as a timely apology can often prevent the escalation of grievances. The duty of candour reflects a commitment to patient-centred care, where communication and accountability are paramount. It is a practice that not only meets legal standards but also embodies the moral ethos of healthcare, prioritising the well-being and dignity of those in home care settings.
The Duty of Candour is a legal requirement for health and social care providers to be open and transparent with patients when something goes wrong with their treatment or care.
THINGS TO NOTE:
– It applies to all registered providers and managers within the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) regulated services, ensuring that they act in an open and transparent way with people receiving care.
– Notifiable safety incidents, which are situations where the care or treatment has led to harm, must be communicated to the affected individuals as soon as possible.
– Providers must offer a truthful account of the incident, provide reasonable support, issue an apology, and explain the steps being taken to prevent future occurrences.
– An apology as part of the Duty of Candour is crucial and is not considered an admission of liability; it acknowledges that the care experience could have been better.
– The regulation emphasises the importance of prompt communication, as delays in apologising can often lead to escalated grievances or legal action.
– The statutory Duty of Candour is regulated by the CQC, while professional duties of candour are overseen by specific healthcare profession regulators such as the General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
– Compliance with the Duty of Candour is essential for maintaining trust between service users and providers, and it forms a fundamental part of the quality and safety standards in healthcare.
This is a commendable achievement for all involved and in line with our stated objective of having a minimum of GOOD at every Hartwig Care branch, there are areas of improvement identified in each branch that we need to ensure we continually work on.
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