The duty of candour and the NHS agenda
International Journal of Health Governance
ISSN: 2059-4631
Article publication date: 21 April 2020
Issue publication date: 11 June 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to explore how the duty of candour got onto the agenda of the British National Health Service.
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptual approach is based on multiple streams approach, with the methodology being interpretive content analysis, which uses a deductive approach that focuses on both manifest and latent content.
Findings
The duty of candour got onto the NHS agenda as a result of the Mid Staffordshire inquiry report and the long-term “interest group” campaign associated with Robbie's Law. It is argued that the “focusing event” of the Mid Staffordshire Inquiry Report opened the “policy window”. It also highlights the importance of “policy entrepreneur” Sir Robert Francis whose “claim to a hearing”, “political connections” and “persistence” was vital.
Research limitations/implications
Analysis was confined to published documents.
Originality/value
It highlights some of the factors that suggested why the duty of candour got onto the NHS agenda when it did.
Keywords
Citation
Powell, M. (2020), "The duty of candour and the NHS agenda", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 107-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-01-2020-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited