Paul Frew MLA: Overwhelming support for Individual Duty of Candour Bill in Northern Ireland healthcare

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew speaking in the Assembly earlier this week.

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has announced overwhelming public support for his proposed Individual Duty of Candour Bill, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, 14 October, Mr Frew confirmed that 94% of respondents to his 14-week public consultation backed the proposal.

“I place on record my appreciation for and gratitude to every individual and organisation who has spoken to and engaged with me on my private Member’s Bill on individual duty of candour,” Mr Frew said.

“I have met so many victims, so many healthcare staff members and so many organisational bodies that represent either healthcare staff or other people who have been victims of a lack of candour.”

The consultation, conducted via Google Forms from 4 July to 10 October, attracted 111 responses, alongside several written submissions by post and email.

Mr Frew said the process involved “significant engagement with stakeholders,” including victims’ families, healthcare staff, advocacy bodies, and representatives of professional organisations.

Among those expressing formal support were the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) and New Script for Mental Health, both welcoming the principle of personal accountability in medical disclosure.

Call for stronger whistleblowing protections

The consultation also explored current whistleblowing procedures within the health service. According to the findings, 80% of respondents felt that existing whistleblowing legislation fails to protect complainants adequately.

“Furthermore, a follow-up question was asked to assess what people felt needed to change about the current legislation,” Mr Frew added.

“Common themes to emerge in answers were accountability and protection for the complainant. That is what the Bill seeks to do.”

A push for transparency and trust

The DUP MLA, who first announced his intention to draft the Bill in November 2024, said the proposal stems from a need to restore public confidence in healthcare following a series of scandals, including the hyponatraemia-related deaths and findings from the Infected Blood Inquiry.

“The Democratic Unionist Party supports the introduction of an evidence based statutory duty of candour within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system which can hold people to account for failings where there was a deliberate withholding of information which could have prevented harm,” Mr Frew said.

He continued:

“This measure, rooted in transparency and accountability, is crucial for restoring trust in our health services following a series of devastating failures, including the tragic hyponatraemia-related deaths and the recent revelations from the Infected Blood Inquiry.

“While healthcare professionals work under immense pressure, it is vital that transparency prevails, not as a punishment for mistakes but as a safeguard against deliberate misinformation or obfuscation, particularly when it leads to harm.”

Mr Frew urged the Health Minister to act on the recommendations made by Justice O’Hara in 2018, as well as the Infected Blood Inquiry, and prioritise the introduction of a statutory duty of candour.

“By implementing this statutory duty, we aim to prevent further avoidable tragedies, uphold patient safety, and build a healthcare system grounded in honesty and integrity. The health and future of Northern Ireland’s citizens demand no less,” he said.

The results of the consultation demonstrate strong cross-sectoral support for Paul Frew’s Individual Duty of Candour Bill, highlighting widespread demand for improved accountability, protection for whistleblowers, and greater transparency across Northern Ireland’s healthcare system.