Martha's Rule Hotlines Receive More Than 1,700 Calls From Concerned NHS Staff

Martha's Rule was introduced across NHS England in 2024 following a years-long campaign by the family of Martha Mills, a 13-year-old who died from sepsis in 2021 after warning signs were missed. The scheme allows hospital patients, their families and clinicians to request an urgent review by a separate critical-care team if they believe a patient is deteriorating. NHS data show that staff alone made more than 1,700 calls to the helpline in its first year.

NHS England said roughly a quarter of escalations led to a change in the patient's treatment plan. Some patients were transferred to intensive care, while others received antibiotics or additional investigations. An independent evaluation led by the University of Birmingham found the scheme has increased early intervention in conditions such as sepsis and acute respiratory failure.

The programme currently runs in 143 hospitals, and NHS England aims to extend it to every acute trust by the end of 2026. Martha's mother, Merope Mills, said the helplines have proved vital not only for families but also for junior nurses who find it difficult to challenge senior clinicians. The Patient Safety Commissioner said the scheme will be reinforced through routine evaluation.