BASINGSTOKE hospital is one of 143 sites across the country that will test and roll out Martha’s Rule in its first year, as part of a major patient safety initiative.
Martha’s Rule – named after 13-year-old Martha Mills who died in 2021 – will allow patients and families to seek a second opinion if they feel their condition, or the condition of a loved one, is deteriorating and they are not being listened to.
NHS staff will also have access to the same process if they have concerns about a patient’s condition.
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Families and patients who ring the number will be able to request a second opinion from a critical care outreach team. The programme will be in place at all 143 sites by March 2025, NHS England said.
NHS England is working with Martha’s parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, to develop materials to advertise and explain the initiative in hospitals across the country, to ensure it is something that all patients, staff and their families can recognise.
Martha died after developing sepsis when she suffered a pancreatic injury following a fall from her bike.
Her parents raised concerns about her health at Kings College Hospital, in London, a number of times but these were not responded to.
The new system will be evaluated throughout the year to inform proposals for Martha’s Rule to be expanded further across all acute hospitals, subject to future government funding.
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The new rule will also require clinicians at participating hospitals to formally record daily insights and information about a patient’s health directly from their families, ensuring any concerning changes in behaviour or condition noticed by the people who know the patient best are considered by staff.
Martha’s parents said the initiative will save lives.
In a statement, they said: “We are pleased that the roll-out of Martha’s Rule is off to a flying start and that the need for it has been so widely recognised.
“It will save lives and encourage better, more open, communication on hospital wards, so that patients feel they are listened to, and partners in their healthcare.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Rolling out Martha’s Rule to over 143 NHS sites in this first phase will represent one of the most important changes to patient care in recent years, and we are pleased to have seen such interest from hospitals right across the country, all thanks to the moving and dedicated campaigning by Martha’ parents, Merope and Paul.
“That is why today is such an important milestone, with the NHS outlining the 143 sites where this major patient safety initiative will be rolled out later this year, allowing staff, patients and families to immediately raise concerns and bring about an escalation in care in an easily recognisable and fast way.
“The inclusion of daily insights from families about their loved ones’ condition within patient records is also a really significant step and will help staff identify changes and deterioration using insights from those who know the patient best. While thankfully the need for escalation of care will hopefully only be needed in a limited number of cases, this three-step safety net has the opportunity to truly transform patient care and safety.”
NHS national patient safety director and senior responsible officer for Martha’s Rule, Dr Aidan Fowler, said: “I am in no doubt this programme will deliver clear change and it has been so encouraging to see how many hospitals have shown interest in being part of delivering these all-important patient safety measures this year."
A spokesperson for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “At Hampshire Hospitals, we are actively in the process of introducing a scheme that provides a more formal mechanism for patient advocacy, in line with Martha’s Law, to support patients and families with concerns around their safety in hospital.
"We have always encouraged our staff to ensure all patients and their families feel listened to and that any concerns they have are responded to with care and consideration.
“The national early warning score (NEWS2) is fully integrated within our hospitals.”
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