The party is bringing a motion to the Assembly on Monday (November 11), calling for agreement on the need for the duty of candour, stating the Health Minister should bring forward legislation to introduce them before the end of the current mandate, due to the little progress which has been made on the issue in the past 20 years.

In 2004, the hyponatraemia inquiry was announced following the death of five children in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, with findings most of the deaths were avoidable amid heavy criticism of the treatment of families.

With a series of scandals since, Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA said it was unacceptable the Department of Health had made little progress on the matter.

“As a healthcare worker myself, I know the overwhelming majority of staff throughout the health service are highly thought of professionals and committed to the highest standards of care for all patients,” he said.

“However, we have seen a number of high-profile scandals since the hyponatraemia inquiry was first announced 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the Department of Health seems to be dragging its feet, as we have seen little progress on this and other matters.

“That has also proven the professional codes of conduct or other accountability mechanisms already in place don’t always work, and a duty of candour is needed. It would enable medical professionals to work to the highest standards while supporting them to be candid in their work, and advancing patient safety at the same time.”

His colleague Nuala McAllister said the call was not about penalising or criminalising mistakes, but rather ensuring openness and transparency by focusing on those who deliberately cover-up or lie.

“Openness and transparency are vital qualities in the health service, both for patients and also staff. A duty of candour would not be about criminalising mistakes or deliberately seeking out problems.

“It would help support and protect both staff and patients, while allowing any necessary changes to be made to the system if necessary.

“The idea is supported by a range of local organisations and I hope other parties do likewise when it comes before the Assembly, with the Health Minister then subsequently bringing forward legislation to implement it.”