Martha’s Rule is to be rolled out across English hospitals.
The Rule is a safety initiative to support the early detection of a patient’s deterioration. It allows patients, carers and their loved ones to speak up if they notice a change in a patient’s condition. The idea is that those who know the patient best can perceive changes in their condition at an early stage and flag concerns; such intervention could potentially be life-saving. In particular, it will allow for second opinion from people outside of the current treating team.
Initially piloted across 143 hospitals from April 2024, the Rule will now be implemented across all English hospitals.
Background to Martha’s Rule
The Rule came about after a coroner ruled in their Prevention of Future Death Report that 13-year old Martha Mills died as a result of a failure by King’s College Hospital London to promptly refer her to the appropriate medical team. This was despite the family’s concerns about her deterioration. Indeed, they believe had their concerns been listened to, Martha would likely have survived. The family have been campaigning for ‘Martha’s Rule’ ever since, giving the families an opportunity to raise concerns about patients and allow them to seek an urgent second opinion.
Medical negligence
There is hope that the initiative will help prevent unnecessary and potentially negligent harm to patients. Evidence shows that Martha’s rule is already having a positive effect. Recent data shows that between September 2024 to June 2025, 4906 Martha’s Rule calls were made, with 241 of these calls resulting in potentially life-saving escalations of care.
When patients suffer avoidable harm or injury due to substandard care, they may have a claim for medical negligence. A patient has three years from the date of injury or the date of knowledge to bring a claim. If the patient is a child, this time limit does not begin until the child turns 18.
What to do if you have concerns
If you believe you have been the victim of a medical error, speaking to a solicitor can help you understand your options, which may include seeking compensation. If you would like to know more about how the firm can help, contact us here.
Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Civil procedure rules and case law can change. Always seek professional legal advice tailored to your specific situation before acting.