Duty of Candour (Regulation 20)
The statutory duty of candour (Regulation 20) requires providers to be open and honest with people when something goes wrong with their care and causes, or could cause, harm.
Who it applies to
All providers registered with the CQC for regulated activities.
Key points
What Duty of Candour means for care providers in practice.
Supporting work within Duty of Candour
Flag notifiable safety incidents for candour.
Record conversations, apologies and follow-up letters.
Track actions and learning from incidents.
Evidence compliance with Regulation 20.
Sectors & bodies
The care sectors most affected by Duty of Candour, and the national bodies most involved. Applicability varies by provider type, programme and UK nation.
National bodies
Alongside UK-wide frameworks, care is also shaped by the distinct regulators and standards of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Explore the nations & regions directory for nation-level intelligence.
Turn regulatory complexity into a defensible posture
CareFocusIQ brings national bodies, programmes, nations and frameworks into a single intelligent platform that supports UK care providers.
CareFocusIQ provides technology and intelligence to support care operations and compliance. It is not a medical device and does not provide legal advice. Regulatory requirements vary by provider type, service and UK nation, and remain the responsibility of each provider.