Department of Health 'Being Open Framework' Consultation Questionnaire

Overview

On 31 January 2018, Sir John O’Hara published his report following the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths (IHRD), which examined the deaths of five children in hospitals in Northern Ireland. One of the 96 recommendations in the report was to introduce a statutory duty of candour for organisations, and a separate statutory duty of candour for individual staff, with criminal sanctions attached for breach. Accompanying these two specific recommendations regarding the statutory duties of candour were recommendations regarding the guidance, support and protection that should be provided for staff to create a more open culture.

Following a consultation in October 2022, the then Minister, Robin Swann,October 2022 determined that that the initial focus for the Department would be to develop a detailed policy in respect of a new ‘Being Open Framework’, in order that the supports were put in place for staff to play their part in an open and candid culture.

For the past two years, this work has focused on the HSC and specifically on engaging with staff to really understand any impediments they might feel exist to encourage them to be open and honest in all aspects of their work, as well as the supports that are required to support them in this. This process of engagement has involved multiple face to face meetings with a variety of staff at all levels in the HSC and in all of the trusts.

Organisations with important and influential roles in relation to the HSC like Unions and Regulators were also part of the engagement, reflecting the complexity of the system of factors that influence openness. Asking staff to be open and honest in a system that is incapable or unwilling to listen and act would be immoral. Therefore engaging widely with individuals, groups and systems has been essential to create a balanced and inter-dependent model that challenges organisations to create the right environment to promote openness and challenges individuals within that environment to speak up with the courage and confidence that they will be supported. The NI Being Open Framework is the start of trying to systematize this complex cultural challenge.

The DoH is now seeking your views on the proposal developed to introduce a ‘Being Open Framework’ for all Health and Social Care Trusts and their staff, as well as seeking views on an organisational and individual Duty of Candour.

A copy of the Being Open Framework is available on the Department of Health website at: Public Consultation on the introduction of a statutory Duty of Candour in Northern Ireland.