Your Say

Hospitals and care providers have a 'duty of candour'

- Legal Eagle with Andrew Freckleton

I underwent hip surgery at a hospital last year and since then have had a lot of pain and problems moving the leg. I have just received a letter from the hospital telling me that something has gone wrong. This was a shock, what should I do?

For some time now, all hospitals and care providers have been under a legal obligation to be open and transparent with patients when something has gone wrong with their care and the error has caused some harm. This obligation was imposed upon them because it became clear that some were being less than honest with patients and their relatives. The obligation is known as the "duty of candour". There is no evidence this duty is being met your letter is unusual.