Medical professionals must apologise and explain their mistakes as soon as they are aware that something has gone wrong, according to the new guidance created by the General Medical Council and Midwifery Council.

Both councils believe that sincere, personal apologies will reduce anxiety and distress in patients.

Staff are advised to report errors at an early stage and use their professional judgement about whether they should inform patients of “near misses” where harm could have been caused but was avoided.

The guidance seeks to reassure staff, affirming that apologising “doesn’t mean that we expect you to take personal responsibility for system failures or other people’s mistakes.”

The new guidelines will also urge managers to protect colleagues or former colleagues from unfair treatment if they raise concerns about patient safety.

Many will welcome this including those for who believe compensation should be paid for all human errors. 

Should this be applied to those patients who moan and groan constantly, those who verbally abuse NHS staff and those who physically attack medics who are trying to help them. Why should much needed cash be spent on security in Hospitals which after all are there to help everyone?