Martha’s Rule Call for Concern pilot scheme

A new patient safety initiative, developed following the death of teenager Martha Mills, is being piloted at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital next week for step down patients who are discharged from the Integrated Critical Care Unit.

Martha’s Rule Call for Concern will initially focus on this area ahead of a wider rollout planned for March 2025.

The initiative, developed through NHS England encourages patients, families, carers and advocates to raise their concerns at any time if they are worried about a patient’s condition and feel their ongoing concerns are not being addressed after speaking with the ward Nurse or Doctor.

The rule is named after Martha Mills who died aged 13 in 2021 from sepsis after her family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not addressed. A coroner later concluded that Martha, who had been taken to hospital following a fall from her bike, would likely have survived if she had been moved to intensive care earlier as her condition deteriorated.

Martha’s Rule Call for Concern aims to ensure that patients and families can get an independent review if a patient/relative feels their concerns are not being addressed after speaking to the ward Nurse or Doctor by contacting the dedicated Call for Concern phone number. This number is available 24 hours a day seven days a week specifically for this purpose –  it is not for general concerns that can be addressed by ward staff.

Samantha Sewell, Matron – Critical Care Outreach Team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “Our Critical Care Outreach Team will be piloting Martha’s rule Call for Concern to step down patients from our Integrated Critical Care Unit from Monday 4 November for two months.

“From the 1st of January 2025 until the end of February 2025, two wards will also be involved in the pilot  – one will be  surgical and  the other a medical ward. Following the completion of the pilot scheme, the Trust plans to launch the initiative across New Cross Hospital in March 2025, with the exception of Maternity, Neonatal and the Emergency Department.

“We want our patients, their families and carers to feel comfortable and confident to raise their concerns with healthcare professionals around the deterioration of a loved one and feel assured they will be listened to.

“Martha’s parents Merope Mills and Paul Laity have worked tirelessly to bring about change since the death of their much-loved daughter and this initiative is a key step in acknowledging the important interventions that can be made.”

The Trust will also be working to raise wide awareness of Martha’s Rule Call for Concern among patients, families, carers and staff.