Chiefs urged to encourage culture of 'openness' in NHS

HEALTH chiefs should encourage a culture of openness in hospitals so doctors can discuss issues more frankly with patients, it has been recommended.

Experts said medics were sometimes reluctant to apologise or come clean on mistakes because of the fear surrounding the professional consequences.

Head of the Medical Protection Society in Scotland, Dr Rob Hendry, said: "A survey of MPS members found that despite over 90 per cent agreeing that patients are less likely to sue if they receive an apology, only two thirds believed that doctors are willing to be open when things go wrong."