Martha's Rule Now Saving Lives in Every English Hospital
You might have heard about Martha’s Rule making headlines recently, and it’s actually a big deal for patient safety across England. Basically, it’s a system that allows patients, their families, or even hospital staff to request an urgent second opinion if they’re concerned about the care someone is receiving. And now, it’s been rolled out in all acute hospitals across the country.
The rule is named after Martha Mills, a 13-year-old girl who tragically died from sepsis in 2021 after serious failings in her hospital care. A coroner later found that Martha probably would have survived if she had been moved to intensive care earlier. Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, campaigned tirelessly to prevent other families from experiencing the same loss, and Martha’s Rule was born from their efforts.
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Since it was first piloted in 143 hospital sites in 2024, the results have been striking. Nearly 5,000 calls have been made to the Martha’s Rule helpline, and 241 of those calls led to interventions that could have saved lives. These interventions ranged from getting patients the right medications, such as antibiotics, to addressing delays in treatment or investigations, and even resolving communication issues between families and hospital staff. Almost three-quarters of the calls came directly from worried parents or family members.
The initiative encourages families and carers to speak up if a patient’s condition seems to be deteriorating and their concerns aren’t being taken seriously. It also allows hospital staff—even those in junior roles—to request a review from a medical team independent of the one currently treating the patient. On top of that, clinicians are now encouraged to record insights about a patient’s health from families on a daily basis, helping ensure that concerns aren’t overlooked.
Merope Mills, Martha’s mother, spoke about the expansion of the rule, which coincided with what would have been Martha’s 18th birthday. She highlighted how the new system is already saving lives and fostering a more equal, respectful relationship between doctors and patients. She also emphasized the need for the rule to be available across the entire UK and in maternity care, where she believes similar issues often arise.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and NHS officials have praised the Mills family for their campaign, noting the transformative impact Martha’s Rule has had on patient care. The scheme is being monitored closely to explore potential future expansion into longer-term care, mental health services, and community settings. Wales is introducing a similar initiative called Call4Concern, and Scotland is testing pilots with a view toward a nationwide approach. Northern Ireland is keeping a close eye on the scheme as well.
In short, Martha’s Rule is more than just a helpline—it’s a lifesaving tool that empowers families and patients to be heard when it matters most, changing the way hospitals respond to concerns and helping prevent tragedies like Martha Mills’ death from happening again.
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