Legal definitions of responsibility, accountability and liability

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to legally define the terms responsibility, accountability and liability. The connection between these terms for registered children's nurses, students and healthcare support workers are discussed, along with the implications for professional practice.

Accountability and responsibility defined

“…We risk removing judgement and minimising gains, by striving to standardise so as to reduce error. Cornock (2011) enumerates that taking responsibility does not necessarily mean one will be asked to give an account, as undertaking the action fulfils the responsibility one has. He also points out that for accountability, the account that is required may take different forms, although for it to be true legal accountability, there has to be some formal obligation to give account.…”

“…"To be accountable one needs to have authority over the task or role being undertaken…. Without this authority any talk of accountability is lip service" (Cornock 2011). He noted that accountability denotes professionalism and is a higher standard than responsibility.…”

“…He noted that accountability denotes professionalism and is a higher standard than responsibility. He also states: "It is only responsibility that can be delegated to appropriate othersaccountability cannot be delegated" (Cornock 2011). …”

“…The obvious candidate is approval, the means used to resolve the problem on the undocumented example mentioned in the above section on definitional confusion above. If a person is accountable for something, they will have the say on how it is done and the authority to approve all the necessary arrangements, as noted in Cornock (2011), within the scope of organisational policy constraints. Accountability means ensuring all necessary tasks are determined and allocated (which proper use of a RAM can accomplish) and then ensuring satisfactory completion (which approval by the accountable person can accomplish).…”

Evaluating handover practice in an acute NHS trust

“…Handover involves 'the transfer of professional responsibility and accountability for some or all aspects of care for a patient on a temporary or permanent basis' (NHS Modernisation Agency et al 2004). Professional accountability means that a nurse has an obligation to account for or justify his or her actions and provide an explanation for particular decisions, including situations where responsibility has been delegated to another person (Cornock 2011). Given this context, the importance of effective handover cannot be underestimated.…”