NHS Says Martha’s Rule To be Followed At All Hospitals In England: All About This New Rule?

Martha's rule is a scheme rolled out in 2021 after the death of a 13-year-old, NHS has now declared that all acute inpatient sites will offer the service, that has now saved thousands of lives. Martha’s rule was set up after the death of young Martha Mills who developed sepsis while she was under the care of King’s College Hospital under NHS Foundation Trust in south London in 2021. Her death was a wakeup call for health authorities and her parents, both of whom had brought up their concerns regarding their daughter’s care multiple times, while they were completely ignored. Having this facility could help many families feel at ease and know that they can easily ask for second opinions. Who Is Martha from Martha's Rule? What if you knew your loved one was getting sicker in the hospital, but no one was listening? That's the heartbreaking situation that led to Martha's Rule, a new system designed to make sure every patient's voice is heard. In 2021, Martha was in the hospital for an injury. While she was there, she developed a serious and life-threatening condition called sepsis. Her family saw that she was getting sicker and sicker, and they frantically tried to get the doctors and nurses to listen to their fears. Sadly, they were not heard, and Martha passed away. The rule was put in place when the authorities ruled out that young Martha may have survived if the doctors had identified the warning signs of her declining condition and transferred her into intensive care. Her parents, in their grief, decided to fight to make sure no other family would have to go through the same tragedy. How Does Martha's Rule Work?Martha's Rule is a way to make sure that patients, families, and caregivers can have their concerns heard and addressed in a hospital. It is being introduced for patients staying overnight in hospitals across England. The rule has three main parts: Patients will be asked daily how they are feeling, and their answers will be officially recorded. Hospital staff can, at any time, ask for an urgent review from a different team if they are worried about a patient but feel their concerns are not being listened to. Patients, their families, and caregivers will always have a way to ask for this urgent review as well. This will be clearly advertised in the hospital.If a family member or patient feels worried about a worsening condition and their concerns are not being addressed by their main care team, they can call a dedicated number for a rapid review from a different, independent team. Has Martha’s Rule Saved Anyone? According to NHS UK, yes. From September 2024 to June 2025, there were 4,906 calls made to the helpline. The highest number of these calls, about 72%, came from patients and their families. Of all the calls, 2,132 were related to a patient's health getting worse quickly. Of those, 241 calls led to potentially life-saving changes in care, including: 93 urgent transfers to an intensive care unit.49 transfers to a different hospital or a higher level of care. For another 720 calls, the rule led to other important changes, such as starting a new medication like an antibiotic or getting a new scan. This data highlights just how important it is to listen to the concerns of patients and families. How Martha’s Rule Makes Healthcare So Access? After the positive results from the first year, the NHS began introducing Martha's Rule to all remaining hospitals in England in April 2025. This includes hospitals that treat adults and children. The program is also being tested in a small number of maternity and mental health units to see if it can be expanded even further. Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said, “There have now been almost 5,000 calls made to the hotlines, with hundreds of potentially life-saving interventions triggered, which is why we are now expanding Martha’s Rule to all acute hospitals in England.” The health officials acknowledge that, this mistake cost the life of a young girl, but keeping her spirit live through this rule and many others who have used this rule for their loved one. As Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said, “No family should ever have to go through what Merope and Paul endured when they lost Martha, but her parents’ tireless campaigning has created a lasting legacy that is already having a potentially lifesaving impact across England.”

NHS Says Martha’s Rule To be Followed At All Hospitals In England: All About This New Rule?

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NHS Says Martha’s Rule To be Followed At All Hospitals In England: All About This New Rule?