Families of patients in all acute hospitals across England can now request a second opinion on their loved one’s care through⁣ Martha’s Rule,a ⁤new patient safety scheme launched nationwide. The initiative aims to empower families to voice concerns when they believe a patient’s condition is deteriorating and requires urgent⁢ review.

The scheme is⁢ named in honour of Martha Mills, who died of sepsis in 2021 at the age of‍ 13. Her mother, Merope Mills, tirelessly ⁢campaigned for a⁤ system allowing patients and their families to request an urgent care review after her repeated concerns were initially dismissed, as reported by The Guardian.

Early⁤ Trial Results Show Positive Impact

Between September⁤ 2024 and June 2025, a trial of Martha’s Rule at⁣ select ‍hospitals received ⁣4,906 calls to dedicated helplines. These ⁣calls led to 241 interventions deemed⁣ “perhaps life-saving” by the National Health Service (NHS), according to a NHS press release issued this week. The NHS has now officially expanded the program to all acute hospitals in England.

Empowering Families and Improving Care

Dr. Ronny Cheung, a consultant general paediatrician at Evelina ⁢London Children’s Hospital, emphasized the value of family input. “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,” he stated, as quoted in the ⁣ Guardian article.

Dr.Cheung added that while invoking Martha’s ⁤Rule can initially present challenges, it ultimately fosters a⁢ culture where concerns are openly raised, ⁢leading to improved patient care.