Martha’s rule: Second opinion rolled out to every acute hospital in England after campaign
Hundreds of patients have already used Martha’s Rule
- Martha's Rule, a crucial patient safety initiative, is being rolled out across every acute hospital in England.
- The rule was established following the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills in 2021, whose parents' concerns about her deteriorating condition were reportedly dismissed.
- It empowers patients, their families, and hospital staff to seek an urgent second clinical opinion from a different medical team if they are worried about a patient's condition or care.
- Between September 2024 and June 2025, 4,906 calls were made to Martha's Rule helplines, with 720 leading to changes in patient care and many others addressing clinical or communication concerns.
- Martha's parents and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have lauded the initiative, stating it is already saving lives and prioritising patient safety within the NHS.