701 Do We Shy Away from Issuing Duty of Candour?

Abstract

Abstract Aim Transparency and openness are the key elements that clinicians must offer. Certain events mandate a duty of candour (DOC). An apology must be provided to the patient/family/carer, providing a factual account of events. Francis Enquiry, 2013 recommended that a statutory DOC should be introduced. Numerous Trusts have been fined by CQC for failing to comply with statutory DOC. The aim of this audit was to study the compliance of our department in issuing a DOC for unexpected return to theatre following an acute laparotomy. Method We carried out two retrospective audits between January 2022 – March 2023 in general surgery department at St. James University hospital, Leeds. Approval was gained locally, and audit was conducted by reviewing electronic notes of each patient for evidence of issuance of DOC. All initial operations were acute laparotomies. Results A total of 46 patients were identified during second cycle of audit as compared to 21 patients during first who had unexpected return to theatres. 4 out of 46 had written evidence of DOC following their return to theatre; 8.7% compliance rate with Statutory Duty of Candour Guidelines which is 2.3% lesser than the first cycle. (P=0.193). Conclusions There appears to be poor compliance in performing a DOC or if provided, evidence of its documentation. Providing verbal and written DOC should become normative behaviour. There needs to exist an automated alert system for those incidences that requires a DOC and appropriate time in the job plan to accomplish this.