The NHS is expanding Martha's Rule to all hospital emergency departments in England to help patients and families challenge staff and seek a rapid review of their care if they want. It is named after Martha Mills, who died aged 13 in 2021 after developing blood poisoning, or sepsis. Her family's concerns were not listened to, which later prompted her parents, Merope and Paul, to change that culture by creating the rule.
Good luck changing a culture that sees one’s customers as an inconvenience at best and irrelevant to getting paid at worst.
Patients, loved ones and staff in A&E units will be able to call a dedicated phone number to trigger an urgent review if a patient's condition is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being taken on board.
And be on hold for half a day, before getting it answered by someone for whom clear English is an unrealised ambition?
The nationwide expansion should be complete by March 2028, after a trial at seven trusts. It is already being rolled out in all inpatient wards.
Questioned whether busy A&E staff might struggle with a sudden influx of calls, Fowler said this had not played out in the recent tests. "Actually people have used it very sensibly," he added. "We've tested it through winter and across this busy summer, and therefore I am not concerned that when we roll this out we are going to be overwhelmed with calls."
No, I don’t suppose you are concerned, you’ve probably got private health insurance!
