Following our article last week, welcoming the government’s introduction of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in the NHS, we have compiled a few more details:

What is Martha’s Rule?

It’s a new patient safety initiative to allow patients and/or families to request access to rapid review from an independent critical care team, 24/7, if they are worried about their, or a loved one’s, condition. Concerned NHS staff would also be able to make requests for a review of a patient.

It was introduced after a campaign led by Merope Mills, mother of Martha, a teenager who died of sepsis in King’s College Hospital, London in 2021, after her parents’ concerns about her worsening health were ignored. A coroner said in 2023 Martha would probably have survived if she’d been moved to intensive care sooner.

Martha’s Rule will also involve a new practice where hospitals will formally record daily insights and information about a patient’s health directly from their parents or families, making sure any changes in behaviour or condition are noted by the people who know the patient best.

Is it mandatory for all trusts?

Not initially. The government is instead asking hospitals to volunteer to be part of a first group of around 100 NHS trusts who will test putting the Rule into practice over the next year. This approach seems to be driven by the desire to get the policy into practice quickly, rather than risk delays that could’ve been caused by introducing new legislation or regulations to existing laws.

Will trusts get funding to support it?

Yes, but we don’t yet know how much. NHS England told Healthwatch this week that the total value will be finalised after the expression of interest process that will ask trusts to participate.

When will it start?

April, 2024. The first trusts taking part must already have an existing 24/7 critical care outreach system.

When will it be extended to other trusts?

Learning from the first trusts will be used to develop wider national policy proposals to extend to other trusts from 2025/6. The health secretary Victoria Atkins said this would include keeping under consideration the idea of mandating the Rule through regulation.

An adapted version of Martha’s Rule would also be considered for community and mental health hospitals.

What role can Healthwatch play?

We have publicly welcomed the rule and are due to talk soon to the Patient Safety Commissioner, as she was instrumental in informing the government on the new policy.