IBI-4a(i) Response Accepted AI-assessed

Duty of Candour - Northern Ireland

Recommendation

Duty of candour:

A statutory duty of candour in healthcare should be introduced in Northern Ireland.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Official government response, 21 July 2025, the Northern Ireland Executive accepted the recommendation to introduce a statutory duty of candour in healthcare. According to the Official government response, 21 July 2025, Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to advancing proposals for an organisational duty of candour and considering an individual duty, referencing a March 2025 consultation and the UK-wide "Hillsborough Law" (Official government response, 21 July 2025). The Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26, known as the "Hillsborough Law," was introduced in September 2025, passed the House of Commons in January 2026, and is currently progressing through the House of Lords, creating a statutory duty of candour for public authorities with criminal sanctions (UK Parliament, 19 January 2026).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted Northern Ireland Executive
14 May 2025

The Northern Ireland Executive committed to proposing an organisational duty of candour, considering consultation findings and broader Hillsborough Law developments.

Read Full Response
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
19 Jan 2026
UK Parliament legislation

Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26 ("Hillsborough Law") introduced September 2025, passed Commons January 2026, progressing through Lords. Creates statutory duty of candour for public authorities with criminal sanctions.

Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26 View Source
Good Progress
15 Jan 2026
IBCA Community Update Other

As of 13 January 2026: 3,721 people asked to start claims, 3,546 begun process, 3,074 received offers totalling £2.47bn, 2,861 paid totalling £1.89bn. Third compensation regulations in force 31 December 2025.

View detailed findings

IBCA exceeded initial expectations. Three sets of regulations now in force covering infected persons, affected persons, and supplementary routes. £11.8bn committed in October 2024 Budget. Independent review found "very creditable progress."

IBCA Community Update, 15 January 2026 View Source
Reasonable Progress
28 Oct 2025
IBCA Independent Review Other

IBCA has contacted 2,215 people to begin compensation claims; 1,934 started process. £812m+ paid via Horizon Shortfall Scheme. £11.8bn committed in Autumn Budget.

View detailed findings

IBCA exceeded expectations for first cohort and established operational service with "compassionate ethos." Target: bulk of infected payments by 2027, affected by 2029. Third compensation scheme regulations came into law 31 December 2025.

IBCA CO-Sponsored Independent Review Report, Octo… View Source
Source
Inquiry Infected Blood Inquiry
Report Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report 20 May 2024
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Northern Ireland Executive Primary
Themes & Tags
Duty of Candour implementation Duty of Candour Healthcare Northern Ireland
Recommendation age 1.8 yrs
Last formal update 14 May 2025