Martha's Rule helplines get more than 1,700 calls from worried NHS staff
Summary
More than 1,700 NHS staff in England have used Martha's Rule helplines to raise concerns about patient care since they started in September 2024. The helplines, created after the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills due to care failings, help staff urgently review patients' worsening conditions to improve safety.Key Facts
- Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis and not receiving timely intensive care.
- Martha's Rule helplines allow NHS staff, including junior workers, to report if a patient's health is getting worse.
- Since September 2024, nearly 1,800 calls have been made to these helplines in 143 hospitals.
- Over 1,000 calls helped identify serious health decline in patients.
- More than 500 patients were transferred to intensive care after calls were made.
- The helplines provide a less confrontational way for staff to speak up, overcoming hospital hierarchies.
- The NHS plans to expand Martha's Rule to adult and child wards, maternity, neonatal, and emergency departments.
- NHS officials say the initiative has led to important treatment changes, saving lives.
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