First phase of Martha’s rule – regional pilot programme

Background

In April 2024, The NHS in England launched plans to roll out ‘Martha’s Rule’ to give patients and families access to an urgent review if they are worried about a condition getting worse.

We know that time spent in hospital can be difficult. Sometimes patients feel like they don’t know how best to raise concerns about their treatment or who to ask if they need a second opinion.

In the next year, over 100 NHS Trusts across England will have a 24/7 escalation service available to patients and their families.

NHS teams have already been piloting ways to best identify and act in this area through work like NHS England’s worry and concern pilots.

The implementation of Martha’s rule will see a consistent national programme rolled out to over 100 Trusts right across the country, with plans to expand that to all providers, including community and mental health, in the coming years.

About Martha’s rule

In May 2024, we were pleased to receive confirmation that both Yeovil and Musgrove Park Hospitals were accepted to be in the first phase of a regional pilot programme, to support the national development and implementation of Martha’s Rule. We are one of 143 sites across the country who are taking part in the programme.

Earlier this year, NHS England also published a press release to share details of all the sites that have been approved to take part in this first phase.

Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to promptly and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

In response to this and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ to ensure the vitally important concerns of the patient and those who know the patient best are listened to and acted upon.

The 3 components of Martha’s Rule are:

First phase progress

By taking part in the first phase, we will help to devise and agree a national standardised approach to all three elements of Martha’s Rule ahead of scaling up to further sites in England in the following years.

Once fully implemented, patients, families, carers and staff will have round-the-clock access to a rapid review from a team skilled in managing deterioration if they are worried about a person’s condition as well as being asked on a routine basis about how they are feeling.

Find out more about Martha’s Rule on the NHS England webpage

Next steps and how to get involved

We want to hear about your experience of our services so that we can recognise the things that have gone well, spread good practice, and make improvements where your experience has not been so positive.

Feedback from patients, relatives, carers and visitors is vital to help us improve. You can share your feedback by talking to members of staff who have cared for you, completing one of our surveys or telling your story through Care Opinion.

How to share feedback or concerns

• You can contact our patient engagement team by sending an email to: patientengagement@somersetft.nhs.uk
• Our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) is a free and confidential service that is here to help when you need advice, have concerns or don’t know where to turn. Email the team, or call: 01823 343536
• Share your experience of health care within the last three years – visit the Care Opinion website

General feedback

If you are an inpatient, and have an immediate clinical concern, please speak to the ward manager, nurse or doctors in charge of care.