Mother reveals shocking figures that could change NHS England forever

In England, a new patient safety procedure known as Martha's rule has been adopted in various hospitals in 2024, significantly improving patient care. Named after Martha Mills, who tragically passed away in 2021, the rule empowers patients and their families to request an urgent review of a patient's treatment, allowing a team of specialists to evaluate and provide a second opinion. Since its implementation in April, there have been 573 calls initiating an urgent review across 143 hospitals, highlighting a proactive response from patients and families who recognized potential deterioration in care. The data from NHS England indicates that approximately half of these calls led to urgent reviews by critical care staff, and notably, around one in five of these reviews resulted in crucial changes to treatment plans. For instance, 14 patients were transferred to intensive care units in September and October after implementing Martha's rule. This proactive step in patient care aims to prevent situations where concerns raised by family members are overlooked, as occurred in Martha Mills' case. Prof Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England, emphasized the transformative effect of Martha's rule, stating that it represents a significant advancement in patient care practices. He commended the collaboration and advocacy of Martha's parents, who have been instrumental in promoting this vital safety initiative. The positive early outcomes have encouraged medical professionals to acknowledge the value of this additional layer of oversight when delivering care. Organizations like the Patients Association and Action Against Medical Accidents have praised the initiative, highlighting how empowering patients and families to voice their concerns can lead to life-saving decisions being made more rapidly. Articles and interviews featuring Martha's mother, Merope Mills, illustrate the urgency for broader adoption of the rule throughout the NHS, reinforcing the importance of partnership between medical professionals and families in providing the safest care possible.