Martha Mills was just 13 years old when she tragically died of sepsis in 2021. She had been admitted to King’s College Hospital, London, with a pancreatic injury after falling from her bike. Despite her parents repeatedly raising concerns about her deteriorating condition, they were reassured by doctors that it was a normal infection. Their requests for Martha to be transferred to intensive care were ignored.

An inquest later found that Martha could probably have survived had she received better care. Her parents spoke of the helplessness they felt — with no clear way of challenging decisions or requesting a second opinion. Following her death, they campaigned for change, determined to ensure that no other family would face the same situation.

What is Martha's Rule?

Martha’s Rule is a new patient safety initiative giving patients, families, and carers the right to request a rapid review by a critical-care team if they are worried about a patient’s deterioration and feel their concerns are not being acted upon.

Under the scheme, hospitals will display posters and leaflets explaining the process. Families will be able to request an urgent review from a senior doctor or nurse who specialises in caring for deteriorating patients, independent from the treating team. Importantly, families’ observations will also be formally recorded.

Implementation across the NHS

The government has backed the rollout of Martha’s Rule across all acute hospitals in England. Initially piloted at 143 sites, it is now being expanded nationally.

• County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust became the first in the North East to adopt the scheme.
• East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire hospitals are trialling new ways to make the process accessible, including daily patient questionnaires and a planned helpline for families and carers.

The British Medical Association has welcomed the initiative but stressed that it will need careful monitoring and sufficient staffing to ensure its success.

Why this matters

At Switalskis, we see first-hand the devastating impact when patients and families are not listened to. Many of the people we represent tell us that, had their concerns been acted upon or a second opinion sought, the outcome could have been very different.

We welcome the introduction of Martha’s Rule. It provides patients and families with a voice at the most critical of times and could save countless lives.

How we can help

If you or a loved one has been affected by delayed treatment or poor medical care, we are here to support you. Our specialist team can help you get answers, accountability, and the compensation needed to rebuild your life.