The announcement follows confirmation from the DUP MLA that he was carrying out preparatory work on a private members bill on this subject.
Commenting Mr Frew said, “The DUP has outlined our support for 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.
This measure, rooted in transparency and accountability, is crucial for restoring trust in our health services following a series of devastating failures, including the hyponatraemia-related deaths and 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.
Whatever the Minister’s motivation behind this shift in position it is to be welcomed. I will obviously reserve judgement until we see what final proposals the Minister brings forward but it would obviously be preferable if this necessary step were to be brought in by the Department of Health rather than via the Private Members Bill process. However, that option will always remain open.”