Martha’s Rule
Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon
It has been developed in response to the death of Martha Mills and other cases related to the management of deterioration
Central to Martha’s Rule is the right for patients, families and carers to request a rapid review if they are worried that their or their loved one’s condition is getting worse and their concerns are not being responded to
Martha’s story
Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike
Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha, aged 13, would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier
In response to this and other cases related to the management of clinical deterioration, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ across the NHS
What is Martha’s Rule?
Martha’s Rule recognises that those who know the patient best may be the first to notice changes that could be an early sign of deterioration, and the importance of listening to and acting on the concerns of patients, families, and carers
It is being implemented in both adult and children’s inpatient settings in England
The 3 core components of Martha’s Rule
- Patients will be asked, at least daily, about how they are feeling, and if they are getting better or worse, and this information will be acted on in a structured way
- All staff will be able, at any time, to ask for a review from a different team if they are concerned that a patient is deteriorating, and they are not being responded to
- This escalation route will also always be available to patients themselves, their families and carers and advertised across the hospital
Empowering patients, families, carers and staff
Martha’s Rule actively encourages patients, families and carers to tell staff if they are worried a health condition is getting worse
They may notice small changes that could be early warning signs of deterioration before they show up in routine measurements
If, after speaking to the care team, they remain worried and feel their concerns are not being addressed, they can call a dedicated number for a rapid review from a different team
Martha’s Rule also empowers staff to call for a rapid review if they feel their concerns about a patient are not being responded to
For review soon
Awaiting review
Invalid notification
Coventry
Rugby & South Warwickshire
North Warwickshire
South Warwickshire
Leave feedback
You must be logged in to post a comment.