The organisation will use the following definitions in relation to the duty of candour:
- Openness – enabling concerns and complaints to be raised freely without fear and questions asked to be answered.
- Transparency – allowing information about the truth about performance and outcomes to be shared with staff, patients, the public and regulators.
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Candour – any patient harmed by the provision of a healthcare service is informed of the fact and an apology offered, regardless of whether a complaint has been made or a question asked about it.