Families of patients at all acute hospitals in England can now seek a second opinion if they’re concerned about the care their relatives are receiving, after Martha’s Rule was rolled out nationwide.
The patient safety scheme is named after Martha Mills, who died of sepsis in 2021, aged 13. Her mother Merope campaigned for patients and their loved ones to be given the right to request an urgent review of their care, after her concerns were ignored.
The National Health Service said that between September 2024 and June 2025, 4,906 calls were made to Martha’s Rule helplines at hospitals trialling the scheme, leading to 241 “potentially life-saving interventions”. This week, it announced that it had been rolled out across England.
“Families often know their loved ones better than anyone – they can spot when something isn’t right in ways that even experienced doctors might miss,” said Dr Ronny Cheung, consultant general paediatrician at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
“I’ve had Martha’s Rule invoked under my care, and while it can feel challenging initially, it’s ultimately about creating a culture where everyone… has a voice to raise concerns. This can only make the care we provide better.”
Image: Akram Huseyn