Martha's Rule Expanded to All A&E Departments in England
The NHS is expanding Martha's Rule to all hospital emergency departments (A&E) in England, enabling patients and families to challenge staff and seek second opinions about their care.
Named after Martha Mills, who died aged 13 at King's College Hospital in London in 2021 due to blood poisoning or sepsis, the rule aims to improve patient safety. Her parents, Merope and Paul, created the rule after expressing concerns about her treatment that were not initially heeded.
Under Martha's Rule, patients, loved ones, and staff can call a dedicated phone number to request an urgent review if a patient’s condition is deteriorating and their concerns are not being addressed.
The nationwide rollout began immediately and should be complete by March 2028, following a successful trial at seven trusts. It builds upon the rule's successful implementation on inpatient wards.
Martha's Story
In 2022, an inquest ruled that external factors contributed to Martha's death. She suffered serious injuries to her pancreas after a bike accident and developed an infection and sepsis during her hospital stay but was not treated appropriately.
Prof Aidan Fowler's Comment
Prof Aidan Fowler, national director of patient safety at NHS England, described the expansion as "a critical new lifeline" that will improve care and potentially save lives by enabling earlier interventions. Staff can also request reviews if they have concerns about a patient's treatment.
During an eight-month pilot at seven trusts, 69 calls were made to Martha's Rule phone numbers, leading to some patients receiving immediate surgery or being transferred to intensive care.
Health Minister's Statement
Baroness Merron, the health minister, emphasized that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to prioritize patient safety within the NHS. Patients and their families can check the availability of Martha's Rule at their local hospital or NHS trust through the trust’s website or by asking staff.
Scotland has already begun using Martha's Rule, while Northern Ireland is considering it, and Wales has a similar program called Call4Concern.