Intended for healthcare professionals

Letters Admitting mistakes

Duty of candour should not be tied to an “apology”

BMJ 2015; 351 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h5473 (Published 21 October 2015) Cite this as: BMJ 2015;351:h5473
  1. Paul Nisselle, risk management consultant, general practitioner1
  1. 1Melbourne, VIC 3206, Australia
  1. nisselp{at}ozemail.com.au

It is unfortunate that the statutory duty of candour includes the requirement for an apology.1

Candour is openness in providing information when an adverse event has occurred. But saying “sorry” is separate and meaningless unless it is clear what the apology is for. “I’m sorry I did this …

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