There are no legal concerns about saying sorry for something that has happened to a patient.
Section 2 of the Compensation Act 2006 says, "an apology, offer of treatment or other redress, shall not of itself amount to an admission of negligence or breach of statutory duty".
As we've said elsewhere, a genuine, heartfelt apology may be all a patient wants, and can often go a long way to resolving an issue.
For more on dealing with complaints effectively, read our related article in the DDU journal.
This page was correct at publication on 12/01/2022. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.