AQW 14946/22-27

Ms Joanne Bunting
Democratic Unionist Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/09/2024
Answered On Date: 26/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, in relation to the Hyponatraemia Inquiry, for an update on the O’Hara recommendations, particularly on an individual duty of candour.

Answer:

Update on implementation of recommendations from the Hyponatraemia Inquiry

69 actions out of 120 actions arising from the 96 recommendations in the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-Related Deaths (IHRD) report have been fully actioned.

The remaining actions have been allocated to the appropriate policy area in the Department. For example, there is a programme of work ongoing to address a further 25 actions through the ongoing Redesign of the Serious Adverse Incident Procedure and through development of a HSC Being Open Framework.

Further, 11 actions relate to duty of candour and will be progressed further as part of that work (detail set out below). This accounts for 105 of the 120 actions.

Of the remaining 15 actions, work is progressing across a number of these however, due to resource constraints, not at the pace my Department would like. Others require longer term policy projects which require dedicated resource. For example a number of actions would be addressed through a review of the RQIA’s founding legislation - the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. While my Department has identified this as a priority area, given resource constraints, the Department is required to make decisions in relation to the work that can be delivered within current resources. In that context, work on the review of the regulation is currently paused.

Individual Duty of Candour

I have said previously that I am in favour of every individual working in public service being honest and candid when people suffer unnecessary harm, whether physical, mental or psychological. That is my desired outcome.

The question becomes how to create a regime that minimises the chill factor that deters individuals from being candid and maximises their willingness and responsibility to engage in an honest review of what went wrong.

In addition to the related recommendations set out in the IHRD Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry report, which was published in May 2024 and extends UK-wide, has made recommendations in relation to individual duties of candour – with consideration to extend these beyond healthcare. Further, the King’s Speech (July 2024) sets out a commitment to implement legislation introducing a duty of candour in the wake of the Hillsborough football stadium disaster.

My officials are linked into discussions with counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales to consider these developments, which remain delicate and complex matters. Options regarding next steps for Northern Ireland in relation to duty of candour will also take account of these discussions, and of related timeframes which remain under consideration.

My officials are also continuing work to develop the policy for a "Being Open Framework" for our health and social care system. The Framework aims to ensure that individuals are fully empowered to exercise candour and openness, and that HSC organisations have in place the necessary support and systems required to enable and to nurture a truly open culture.