Hospital patients and families get new power to demand urgent reviews

Patients and families are being given more power to request a second opinion at Worcestershire hospitals.

A patient safety initiative called Martha’s Rule is being implemented at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust over the coming weeks.

Martha’s Rule is a national programme implemented following the death in 2021 of 13-year-old Martha Mills.

Martha developed sepsis in hospital following admission for a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike.

Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to and at her inquest the coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

The system provides a way for patients and families to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one’s condition deteriorates and they are concerned this is not being responded to.

In Worcestershire, the first phase of implementing Martha’s Rule will be the introduction of Call for Concern.

Where anyone has raised concerns about the condition of an inpatient with ward staff but still feels those concerns have not been fully addressed, they will be able to pick up the phone and make a Call for Concern.

Call for Concern will launch at the Alexandra Hospital on Monday, April 27 and at Worcestershire Royal Hospital two weeks later on Monday, May 11.

Posters will be displayed in ward areas and other parts of the hospitals to raise awareness.

Dr Ed Mitchell, deputy chief medical officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The aim of Martha’s Rule is to make it easier and simpler for anyone who has a concern about a patient in our care to get a rapid review if they are worried that the patient is deteriorating and not enough is being done.

“Patients, their families or carers, and any member of our staff will all be able to make a call for concern if they have raised concerns with the clinical team caring for the patient but don’t feel their concerns are being acted on.”

Chief nursing officer Hayley Flavell, chief nursing officer said the launch of the programme is “really positive”.