Duty of candour
What it means
The professional and statutory duty to be OPEN and HONEST when something goes wrong: tell the patient (or family) promptly when harm has or may have occurred, offer an apology, explain what happened and what will be done, and report/learn. Applies even when the patient is unaware harm occurred. Distinct from, but reinforced by, honesty in GMC Good Medical Practice.
Worked example
After a drug error that prolonged a patient's stay, the team explains what happened and apologises, even though the patient hadn't noticed — candour is proactive.
In the exam
A medication error has harmed a patient; the team must promptly tell the patient, apologise and explain, regardless of whether the patient noticed.
What settles it
Candour is PROACTIVE and applies even if the patient is unaware; an apology is not an admission of legal liability.
Classically confused with
GMC Good Medical Practice / duties of a doctor
Source: Duty of candour (statutory + GMC)