Martha’s Rule

Martha’s Rule is a vital patient‑safety change that gives patients, families, carers and staff the right to request a rapid review if they are worried someone is deteriorating.

As the document states, “Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients, families, carers and staff are listened to and acted upon.”
It exists because too many people have felt unheard at critical moments.

Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital. Her family’s concerns were not acted upon, and the coroner later ruled she would probably have survived with earlier intensive care. Her story is now driving national change.

Martha’s Rule is being rolled out across all acute inpatient settings, with full implementation expected by 2026/27. Early evidence is promising. Between September 2024 and March 2026, there were 13,481 calls, and 2,504 led to changes in treatment, including transfers to higher‑dependency care.

For rare disease communities and anyone with complex conditions, this matters. Families often spot subtle changes long before they appear in routine observations. Martha’s Rule gives them a clear, respected route to escalate concerns.

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