IBI-4b Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Organisational Culture Change

Recommendation

Cultural Change:

That a culture of defensiveness, lack of openness, failure to be forthcoming, and being dismissive of concerns about patient safety be addressed both by taking the steps set out in (a) above, and also by making leaders accountable for how the culture operates in their part of the system, and for the way in which it involves patients.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the official government response, the UK Government accepted in principle the recommendation for cultural change to address defensiveness and lack of openness in healthcare. The Scottish Government detailed its ongoing work and past responses to the Francis and Sturrock Reviews, which aimed to promote staff raising concerns and foster supportive, open, and transparent workplace cultures (Official government response, 21 July 2025). Additionally, 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 progressing through the House of Lords, creating a statutory duty of candour for public authorities with criminal sanctions, which directly contributes to leadership accountability for cultural change (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
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify objectively. The assessment is based on policy commitments, not measured outcomes.
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
14 May 2025

Scotland established an Independent National Whistleblowing Office and introduced Non-Executive Whistleblowing Champions in all Health Boards. Wales enacted the 2020 Act. Northern Ireland is implementing a Being Open Framework.

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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.

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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.

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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
UK Government Primary
Themes & Tags
Duty of Candour implementation Culture Change Openness Patient Safety
Recommendation age 1.8 yrs
Last formal update 14 May 2025