Dear Petition Supporters,

thank you for your signatures and your continued backing.  I'm writing this update because the government is calling for evidence in relation to the suitability (or otherwise!) of the duty of candour.

Sadly, this is an England-only call as it relates to the CQC, which only regulates services in England*

If you are a patient, so-called 'service user', or the families or caregivers of someone impacted by the scope of the duty - or a health or care professional - you'll very likely have a lot to add to this call for evidence. 

Please consider sharing your experiences and your evidence so positive change can hopefully ensue.

Do not be put off - the survey is long - but you don't have to answer all the questions.  If you have a strong opinion underpinned by personal experience, please share it.

You can read all about the call for evidence here, including the questions you'll be asked.

And here is the link to complete it: The closing date is 11:59pm on 29 May.

* The CQC has asked Kayleigh, Colin, Richard and I to feed in to a report they are preparing about the key themes and findings from their maternity inspection programme.  We have said we can do so as long as they give us sufficient time to consider them.  A response from the CQC is awaited. 

* We also asked for an update relating to Ian Trenholm's assurance he would speak to other regulators in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland about the creation of an alliance... 

Finally, because you have to take your opportunities when you find them - within my personal evidence for the duty of candour, I did slip in a call out to Victoria Atkins:

"You are asking completely the wrong question.  It is not whether the duty of candour is known and understood by care providers.  After all, it is written so that a child can understand its intent.  You should be asking WHY it is not upheld.  Asking WHY people are too afraid to speak the truth when they make a mistake.  Asking WHY whistle blowers are destroyed rather than embraced and learned from.  Asking WHY families are buried beneath obfuscation because once they are destroyed by catastrophic failings in care they may as well fall victim to more so that they shut up and don’t attempt to shine a light into 'the dark corners if the NHS' so change can happen.  Asking WHY boards put the mitigation of reputational harm before the duty of candour.  And while you’re at it - can you ask Ms Atkins WHY she has failed to reply to any of my letters that show her how maternity services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are broken, and which detail what she needs to do to fix the system."

Thank you for any evidence you can present - and any recommendations you can add to encourage candour, learning and change.

Rhiannon