Martha's Rule expands to every emergency department in England
Martha's Rule, which lets patients request a second opinion on care, is rolling out to all emergency departments in England.
Martha's Rule lets patients, relatives and NHS staff request a rapid review if they think care is going wrong. Named after Martha Mills, a girl who died from sepsis in 2021 after not being moved to intensive care soon enough, the system received more than 10,000 calls in 16 months and potentially saved 446 lives.
People were moved to intensive care, given urgent drugs or had care changed as a result. The scheme is now rolling out to every A&E in England by March 2028.
A pilot in seven trusts saw 69 calls, with some patients receiving urgent surgery or transfers to intensive care.
- 10,000 plus
- Calls in first 16 months
- 446
- Lives potentially saved
- March 2028
- Full rollout target
- 69 across seven trusts
- Pilot calls
Why it mattersIt gives patients a formal way to challenge care decisions when they fear someone is deteriorating, filling a gap where concerns might otherwise be ignored.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the approach may inform patient safety reforms in Australian hospitals.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 h ago
