PATIENT SAFETY MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

MARTHAS RULE

Martha’s rule is a Patient Safety initiative implemented in NHS Hospitals across UK designed to empower Patient’s and their families to request an urgent clinical review if they believe a Patient’s condition is deteriorating and their concerns are not being adequately addressed by the current medical team.    This initiative was introduced in response to the tragic death of 13 year old Martha Mills in 2021 who died from Sepsis after her parents’ concerns were not taken on board by medical staff at a London Hospital.    A subsequent Coroner’s inquest concluded that Martha would likely have survived had she been transferred to intensive care earlier.

The important components of MARTHA’S RULE are as follows:

1. 24/7 ACCESS FOR STAFF.  All NHS staff must have round the clock access to a critical care outreach team to request a rapid review if they are concerned about a Patient’s condition.
2. 24/7 ACCESS FOR PATIENT’S AND FAMILIES. Patient’s, their families, carers and advocates are granted the same 24/7 access to request an urgent review from the critical care outreach team if they are worried about the Patients deteriorating condition.
3. Structured daily information gathering. The NHS is required to implement a structured approach to obtain information about a Patient’s condition directly from Patient’s and their families at least once daily.

 a) Martha’s rule was started in 100 NHS hospitals in April 2024 with plans to extend further.  

b) By December 2024, the rule was in place in 143 hospitals.

c) In its initial months, the rule was invoked 573 times leading to 286 reviews by Critical Care Staff and 57 escalations in care including the administration of potentially lifesaving treatments.

d) 14 Patients were transferred to Intensive Care following these interventions. These outcomes suggest that Marthas Rule is having a very significant effect on Patient Safety.  Marthas Rule represents a significant step forward in Patient advocacy and Safety within the NHS aiming to ensure that concerns are heard and acted upon promptly to prevent avoidable harm.

 For more detailed insights into how the Patient Safety Act 2023 impacts you and how Whelan Law can support you, please visit our Patient Safety Rights Legal Advice https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/medical-negligence-and-patient-safety/