Martha’s rule is having a ‘transformative effect’, data from NHS England shows
Patients have been moved to intensive care or given potentially life-saving treatments such as oxygen as a direct result of hospitals adopting Martha’s rule, NHS data shows.
Doctors and nurses have transformed the way they care for dozens of very sick patients since it was introduced in many parts of the NHS in England over the course of 2024.
Martha’s Rule, named after Martha Mills, who died in 2021 at the age of 13, gives patients and their loved ones the right to request an urgent assessment of the person being treated in hospital. This ensures that their care is urgently reviewed by a team of specialists, who offer a second opinion.
“The introduction of Martha’s Rule represents one of the most significant changes in patient care in recent years, and we are really encouraged to see the impact it is already having on patients in this first phase,” said Prof. Sir Stephen Powis, national director of NHS England. medical director.
Martha’s mother Merope, editor-in-chief at The Guardian, revealed the data showing the improvements in patient care since its rollout in April during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Tuesday morning.
The new patient safety procedure has led to 573 calls, across the 143 hospitals using it, with someone requesting an urgent assessment. About half (286) have prompted urgent review by intensive care staff. And around one in five of these assessments – 57 cases – have resulted in the person’s care being escalated, for example by receiving potentially life-saving antibiotics or other medications.
In September and October alone, 14 patients were transferred to intensive care after Martha’s reign began. Martha died after doctors at King’s College Hospital in London failed to move her to intensive care, despite her parents raising serious concerns about her care.
“With one in five clinical reviews triggered by Martha’s Rule to date having led to potentially life-saving changes in care, this early insight suggests that the initiative is beginning to have a transformative effect in further improving patient safety .
“We are so grateful to Martha’s parents, Merope and Paul, for their campaigns and continued partnership to help the NHS save more lives,” Powis added.
“These early data demonstrate how vital the Martha’s Rule escalation process will be for patients, families and staff, to ensure that those experiencing an acute deterioration can be identified and treated as quickly as possible.
Patient groups welcomed what they said was a significant improvement in the safety of care.
“These first statistics from Martha’s administration, with more than 500 calls across 143 hospitals, show what happens when healthcare services really listen to patients and their families. Each call represents someone who felt confident to speak up and knew where to turn if they noticed deterioration.
“Patients and families must be equal partners in healthcare decisions – their voices, concerns and observations are invaluable and can mean the difference between life and death,” said Rachel Power, CEO of the Patient Association.
“The success of these early figures shows exactly why Martha’s Rule must be rolled out across the NHS – because if we listen to patients and families and act on their concerns, lives can be saved.”
Paul Whiteing, the CEO of patient safety charity Action Against Medical Accidents, said: “This early data… shows that in one in five patients, exercising their right has led to a change in treatment plan (and) is a reminder that patients and their families need to be heard by medical professionals as this is a clear way to improve patient safety for all.”