Duty of Candour is a statutory requirement that ensures openness, honesty, and transparency when things go wrong in patient care. NHS organisations must inform patients or their families as soon as a notifiable safety incident is identified, provide a sincere apology, explain what happened, and outline next steps, including support and ongoing communication. Policies, training, and governance processes underpin the Duty of Candour, ensuring incidents are identified, reported, and managed consistently. It is central to building trust, supporting learning, and improving patient safety across the NHS.

MIAA reviewed the core controls for Duty of Candour across a number of NHS clients in 24/25. The attached Insight aims to highlight the key themes identified. It provides information to support organisations in reviewing their duty of candour processes. It is intended to prompt and inform discussions in this area.

Download the Insight

If you have any queries about the checklist or how MIAA can support your organisation please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Dowbekin, Associate Director – Continuous Improvement.