Recommendation IBI-4a(iv): Individual Duty of Candour for Leaders
From Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report, published 20 May 2024.
Recommendation
Statutory duty of candour:
The statutory duties of candour in England, Scotland, Wales (and Northern Ireland, when introduced) should be extended to cover those individuals in leadership positions in the National Health Service, in particular in executive positions and board members.
In brief (written by this site)
In May 2025, the UK Government stated that it was preparing its response to a consultation, held between November 2024 and February 2025 on options for regulating NHS managers, which sought views on whether to introduce a professional duty of candour for NHS leaders and hold them accountable for organisational candour (Cabinet Office response, May 2025). The record holds no update since the UK Government's response of May 2025 (Cabinet Office response, May 2025).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
4a) iv. The Government recognises the importance of strong and accountable leadership in fostering an open and compassionate culture in the NHS. That is why we have committed to implementing professional standards for and regulating NHS managers. The Government ran a consultation from 26 November 2024 to 18 February 2025 on options for regulating NHS managers, with the aim of improving leadership quality and accountability. The consultation sought views on whether a professional duty of candour is a standard that should be introduced for NHS leaders, and whether leaders should also be accountable for ensuring that the statutory (organisational) duty of candour is correctly followed in their organisation. The Government is currently preparing its consultation response.
Delivery
No statement on delivery from UK Government has been found in the sources searched (last checked 11 June 2026). This is separate from the response above.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response