Call for Concern in support of Martha’s rule - Raising concerns about a patient’s deterioration
Martha’s Rule
Martha’s Rule is a national patient safety initiative which gives patients, carers and families access to a clinical review if they are worried that the patient’s condition is getting worse. This includes maternity, paediatrics and adult in-patient areas.
How to raise a concern
To raise concerns around deterioration, please contact the nurse/ midwife in charge of the ward/ department and ask for a review.
If you feel your concerns have not been resolved or if you are still worried, please contact the Critical Care Outreach Team directly on 07974598810 and ask for the Call for Concern service. This service can be accessed by patients, carers, relatives or members of staff.
When we receive your call we will need to know
- The inpatient’s name
- the name of the ward
- a brief description of your concern
- your relationship to the inpatient and contact details.
All telephone calls to this number will be assessed and, where appropriate, a Critical Care Outreach Practitioner will visit the patient on the ward to ensure they are receiving the suitable treatment and support. The team aims to answer your calls without delay, however, on occasions we may be dealing with other emergencies which may delay our response. We advise you to leave a message, and the team will call you back.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and applies to maternity, paediatrics and adult in-patient areas.
When not to make a Call for Concern call
- hospital food
- car parking
- complaints
- or any other general issues
If you would like to discuss any other matters, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01536 493305 or email kgh-tr.pals@nhs.net, Monday-Friday between 10.00am-3.00pm, excluding bank holidays.
Additional information
Who are the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT)?
The CCOT are a team of nurses and allied health professionals specialising in the care of very unwell patients, and patients recovering from critical illness.
The CCOT are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Difference between Martha’s Rule and second opinion
Martha’s Rule allows hospital inpatients and their families to seek a clinical review if their condition, or the condition of a loved one is deteriorating.
A second opinion is when you would like to see another consultant to discuss any diagnosis or treatment.
Martha Mills and Martha’s Rule
Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis whilst being treated in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike.
During her stay, Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.
In response to this, campaigning from Martha’s parents, and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England agreed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’, which is designed to ensure the vitally important concerns of patients, and those who know the patient best, are listened to and acted upon.
For more information, go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/marthas-rule/