Martha's Rule, a system allowing NHS patients, their family members, and health workers to request a review of medical care, is set to be introduced in every accident and emergency (A&E) department in England. This expansion follows the system's initial success in inpatient wards and its recent rollout to maternity and neonatal units.

The rule is named after Martha Mills, a 13-year-old who died in 2021 from sepsis after a bicycle accident. A coroner determined that her death could have been prevented had she been moved to an intensive care unit when her condition worsened. In response to this tragic case, Martha's parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, campaigned vigorously for changes to patient safety protocols in hospitals.

Introduced in England in 2024, the rule enables patients and their relatives to contact a hospital helpline to raise concerns about the care being provided. Official statistics indicate that this initiative has potentially saved hundreds of lives; within the first 16 months, the helplines received over 10,000 calls, leading to 446 lives saved. Improvements resulting from these calls included transitions to intensive care and timely administration of necessary treatments.

From this month, the rollout of Martha's Rule will reach A&E units, providing an urgent response mechanism for those who feel their concerns are not adequately addressed. A dedicated phone line will facilitate swift reviews of deteriorating patients’ conditions. This phased rollout is anticipated to be completed by March 2028.

Prior to this expansion, the initiative underwent a pilot programme across seven trusts, where it proved effective in emergency scenarios. During the pilot, 69 calls were made, occasionally resulting in urgent surgeries or transfers to intensive care.

Health officials, including Professor Aidan Fowler, Director of Patient Safety at NHS England, have expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the rule. He noted that the ability to quickly raise concerns in busy A&E settings is “essential” for safeguarding vulnerable patients.

Matthew Hopkins, Acute and Ambulance Director at the NHS Alliance, highlighted the strong support from healthcare leaders for the implementation of Martha's Rule across all emergency departments. He stated that the measure would enhance patient safety and give families the confidence to voice concerns about a patient’s worsening condition.

Health Minister Gillian Merron affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring patients are heard, emphasising that expanding Martha's Rule to A&E departments would improve rapid responses to concerns raised by families and staff alike.